Seattle defines itself as a city of contrasts: metropolitan embraces nature, high-tech blends with grunge, sidewalk espresso carts meet upscale organic eateries.

From views at the top of the Space Needle to tours of Seattle’s historic underground, the city’s diversity runs high and low. And that diversity guarantees you’ll enjoy your visit to the Emerald City, no matter what type of trip you’re after.

But before you book your flight and pack your bags, study up on Seattle’s climate. Although it’s been dubbed “rainy city,” Seattle receives less rainfall each year than New York, Houston or Atlanta. The real trick to the weather is the sunshine. Between October and May, six out of seven days are cloudy. So if you hope to have sun on your side, visit the city between June and September — you’ll likely experience perfectly warm temperatures, little to no rain, and crystal clear views of coastal sunsets.

For first-time visitors and Washington vacation veterans alike, here are six attractions to put on your “must-see” list.

Pike Place Market
The oldest continuously operating farmer’s market in the nation, Pike Place celebrated its 100th birthday last year. And despite its old age, the nine-acre district is a bustling destination for both tourists and Seattleites.

In addition to typical market fare like fresh produce, pastries, handmade cheeses, flowers, wine, crafts, antiques, and honey — all local, of course — Pike Place Market’s standout spot is its fishmongers and famous flying fish.

Space Needle and Columbia Center
There’s no better place to be on a clear day than hundreds of feet above Seattle’s sidewalks.

In just 41 seconds, the Space Needle’s elevator propels you to an observation deck 520 feet above ground — and the views are even more dramatic when you use the complimentary Swarovski Telescopes. Dine at SkyCity and enjoy 360 degrees of rotating panorama with your Honey and Peppercorn Crusted Smoked King Salmon.

For less expensive sky-scraping views, head over to the tallest building in the state — downtown Seattle’s Columbia Center. The 76-story building is 882.5 feet tall with an observation deck on the 73rd floor.

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
They call it “history with a twist” — and a humorous twist at that. This guided walking tour takes place beneath Seattle’s sidewalks. The subterranean passages were abandoned after an 1889 fire required the city to be rebuilt above old streets and buildings.

The tour is 90 minutes long, and while highly entertaining guides make every minute worthwhile, small children might struggle to enjoy it.

The waterfront
The city’s seaports are anything but ordinary. Seattle-style restaurants and shopping spots are only part of the fun — fishing piers, biking and walking paths, park benches, wildlife habitat preservation spots, and boat launches make the waterfront a prime spot. From Pier 55 catch a cruise to Tillicum Village and indulge in Chinook salmon prepared in the traditional Northwest Coast Indian style.

Seattle-born shopping
You can shop at Nordstrom anywhere, but only Seattle can claim the store as its own. Other big names that got their start in Seattle? Eddie Bauer, REI, Starbucks, Sur la Table, and Ben Bridge Jeweler all call Seattle home and have their flagship stores in the city.

Olympic Sculpture Park
Try alfresco art for a refreshing change from run-of-the-mill museums. Seattle’s brand new sculpture park is a nine-acre oasis perfectly placed where the city and the Sound intersect. Admission is free and the variety of stunning sculptures will please art aficionados and amateurs alike (plus, there’s plenty of open space for children to run free).

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I didn’t know quite what to expect while traveling to Paradise Ranch with my daughter, Sabrina, and my wife, Heather. But I was in awe of the beauty. As we turned off the main highway and started on the dirt road to the ranch, I knew I was in for a great week. The distant mountains were majestic and the pine forests went on forever.

Tucked just to the west of Buffalo, Wyo. in the heart of the Big Horn Mountains, this ranch is incredible. The history is rich, dating back to the 1890s when cattle men would summer their cattle in the lush meadows. Today the ranch is owned by Clay and Leah Miller and their partners, Kevin and Rebecca McMahon. Clay and Leah have created an environment just right for families.

Kids program
Going on a week-long vacation with kids can sometimes be … well, you know. But this place is different. This is a ranch where just as much time is spent planning for the kids as the adults. Paradise Ranch creates an atmosphere that gets children into nature. Visiting kids during our stay ranged from toddler to teenager, and they were given the time of their life. My 4-year-old daughter loved the activities planned for her (the pony rides were an especially big hit).

Plus, each day of the week is assigned a theme. Monday is “Horse Day,” Tuesday is “Fishing Day,” Wednesday is “Native American Day,” Thursday is “Tie-Dying Day,” Friday is “Nature Day” and Saturday is “Rodeo Day.” Each day includes activities that center around the theme, and lucky for the kids (and the parents) the activities are “no parents allowed.”

Horses
This is the bread and butter of the ranch. For those who know how to ride, you’ll be in heaven.

And for those who don’t, you’ll become an old pro. The riding program is top-notch. Every wrangler at the ranch was professional and knew just what my wife and I needed. Every day you choose to ride, you are given many options tailored to your riding experience and mood for the day.

The horses were custom-fit by the wranglers to match the guest and his or her riding ability.

One of the great experiences at the ranch includes watching 100 horses at the end of the day stampede across the meadows to their evening pastures.

At this ranch, no experience is needed. They really make your experience with the horses one to remember.

Lodging
The ranch describes its cabins as “rustic elegance.” I found them to be more than that. The ranch has one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins complete with everything you need, including a wood fireplace. The larger families staying there seemed to be very comfortable, and the staff was at our every need. All the cabins feature an outdoor deck where you can relax and read. This was my favorite feature of the cabins.

Watching the sun go down from the deck and seeing the horses in the meadows was a scene I won’t soon forget.

Dining
Wow!

How else can I describe it?

Every meal is prepared to give your eyes and mouth a meal to remember. And don’t forget the desserts.

With an award-winning baker on hand, you won’t be disappointed. UV

Gone Fishin’
Paradise Ranch offers half- and full-day fly fishing trips, including a stream full of trout right on the ranch property. My adventure took me to one of their premier Blue Ribbon waters on The Middle Fork of the Powder River. This all-day trip takes you into a deep canyon with a crystal clear creek full of rainbow and brown trout. The guides were incredible, offering great advice and good company.

The ranch also provides a fishing program and lessons to help those who have never fly fished and want to learn.

MORE INFO
(307) 684-7876
www.paradiseranch.com

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The words “adventure” and “spa” rarely unite. At Red Mountain Spa, it’s hard to separate the two. Whether you’re seeking solitude or sports, spiritual sanctuary or spa pampering, the southern Utah sky — perfectly accented by red rock cliffs — is the limit.

After a 3.5-hour drive from Provo, Red Mountain Spa’s adobe-style villas come into view just before the mouth of Snow Canyon State Park. An initial walk around the spa’s property gives a hint of the paradise that awaits — hiking boots, workout gear and swimsuits are standard apparel, inviting hammocks dot the sprawling landscape, and the smell of fresh, natural gourmet cuisine is in the air. This desert hideaway is the perfect rejuvenation for body, mind and soul.

Exercise your options
During one day at Red Mountain Spa, more than a dozen health and fitness classes are offered. Start with an early morning trekker hike. Varied distances, intensity and fitness levels are accommodated, and the hikes rotate daily through more than 30 trails, so you’ll have a new experience each time. One morning’s Trekker 2 hike might take you through slot canyons and slickrock, and the next day’s adventure could be among black lava bed gardens and desert flora.

Post-hiking, strip off your red-stained socks and shoes for a morning stretch or yoga class. In the afternoon, work up a sweat with cross-training cardio or balletone. Practice flexibility and relax tight muscles through Thai Chi on the rocks or Qi Gong. And just add water for an aqua strength and hydro challenge, which are perfect in the southern Utah heat.

Experience high adventure
Enhance your vacation further by joining an adventure trip to one of the local parks or recreation areas. Ride on horseback through Snow Canyon State Park or kayak in Gunlock State Park.

Engage your mind and your body while rock climbing on some of the best stone in the West. Hit the trail for a memorable mountain biking experience on the Bear Claw Poppy trail complex.

Or, for a custom adventure, try the Guide for Hire program for a personalized hike, climb, bike ride, trail run or archaeological adventure.

Practice nutrition awareness
Red Mountain’s cuisine is an extremely enjoyable — and still healthy — part of the adventure.

The Canyon Breeze Restaurant’s chefs have created menus featuring fresh and natural ingredients — herbs from the on-site organic gardens, wild game meats and select indigenous foods — and guests are encouraged to experience variety at each of the three included meals. Nutritional information is available for every food item — menus list calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber, so you can learn how easy it is to eat healthy without sacrificing taste.

Gear up for a morning hike with whole-wheat banana pancakes and pure maple syrup, breakfast burritos, and muffins with fruit butter. Refuel at lunchtime with fresh-baked multi-grain breads, hearty vegetable soups, and a create-your-own salad with delightfully unique dressings. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style.

A sit-down dinner at the restaurant is the best way to celebrate a long day of exploration. Start with the soup and salad bar, and don’t pass up the cold soup of the day — chilled watermelon cilantro is a favorite. Dinner also includes a choice of beautifully prepared vegetables, like a spaghetti squash nest with fresh basil and olive oil, or a fire-grilled medley with marinated squash, portobello and tomato. The entrée is the star of the evening, with a daily market fresh fish selection, and set menu items like prickly pear barbeque glazed pork tenderloin and red chile pecan slaw, and jerk spice rubbed duck with granny smith apple-cabbage.

For a light finish, try the frozen mango passion fruit mousse (just 77 calories) or the lemon cheesecake with graham cracker crust (200 calories).

Recharge your spirit
Red Mountain’s Sagestone Spa & Salon will take you to a place of deep relaxation and tranquility. And with an extensive menu of services — including dozens of Sagestone signature treatments — it’s easy to find one that renews you.

Signature treatments are inspired by health, wellness and beauty rituals practiced in diverse cultures of the world, crafted with desert botanicals, mineral rich muds, clays and salts, handcrafted essential oils, rich body butters, and other indigenous ingredients.

The Red Mountain Revitalizer is one of the unique signature treatments, featuring a heavenly scalp massage hair cleanse and condition, followed by a facial cleanse and full-body exfoliation and massage. For an even more adventurous spa experience, try the Four Directions — a Native American-inspired treatment with a full-body cornmeal/tobacco exfoliation and a relaxing cedarwood massage.

Visit www.redmountainspa.com for more information.

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In the heart of downtown Chicago, a cobblestone bridge passes over the Chicago River. Stately buildings, such as Trump Tower, rise overhead. Lake Michigan looms in the distance, its waters reflecting the pulse of city life all around.
Although we’re in a hurry — the curtain call for an off-Broadway showing of “Wicked” is in 20 minutes — my husband and I pause on the bridge. Our stomachs are full from feasting on deep-dish pizza at the famous Pizzeria Uno, and in that bliss, we can’t help but notice how peaceful, welcoming and even cozy the densely populated city feels.
Despite its big city industries, inventions and infamies (think of the movie “Chicago”), the metropolis is surprisingly friendly and decidedly fascinating. Yes, the Windy City took our breath away — and it wasn’t because of that legendary breeze.
Home to one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, the world’s busiest airport and perhaps the planet’s most well-known woman — Oprah Winfrey — Chicago could be intimidating. But if you’re planning a trip to the city, plan to be pleasantly surprised. Chicago is bursting with beautiful sights, forthcoming people and family-friendly activities. Not quite what we expected from a city some 2.8 million people call home.

The Oprah and More
Speaking of Oprah, if you’re planning your sojourn to Chicago with the sole hope of attending The Oprah Winfrey Show, make sure you secure tickets ahead of time. Tickets aren’t released at the door or sold to the highest bidder. The only way to get tickets is by calling the reservation phone line, which, unfortunately, is only open for a few hours each month. So you’d better be dialed into redial if you’d like to attend.
If you don’t land tickets, don’t fret. There is plenty to do outside Harpo Studios. In fact, the Windy City has so many amusements you won’t be able to take it all in on one trip. Like us, you may need to draw straws to choose between off-Broadway shows, professional sporting events and first-class museums.
For example, downtown Chicago’s 57-acre Museum Campus is home to the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Soldier Field (home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears). We spent most of one day at the Field Museum, home of Sue, the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. There, we stood “toe-to-paw” with the mounted man-eating Lions of Tsavo and walked through the real tomb of Unis-ankh, a pharaoh’s son, whose mummy lay in the burial chamber under our feet.
Another afternoon was spent at the sprawling Shedd Aquarium, built just east of the Field Museum. We splurged on the Premium Day Pass, which at $27.50 included access to all seven exhibits and a seat at the 4-D presentation “Planet Earth: Shallow Seas,” taken from the acclaimed BBC series of the same name. The 4-D features included squirting water, moving seats and blowing air. Make sure you buy a pass that includes the daily dolphin shows, too.
It will take at least two days to take in all of the exhibits at The Museum Campus, and even then, you may just be skimming the surface. Research each museum’s special event days before you go — with a little planning, you may be able to take in one or two exhibits for free (see sidebar).
If you visit Chicago in the summer, a detour to the Navy Pier may be in order. Adjacent to Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is filled with 50 acres of shops, restaurants, gardens and entertainment. We weren’t blown away with the shops — filled mostly with tchotchkes and trinkets — and recommend you save your green for the Magnificent Mile. However, a ride on the 150-foot Ferris Wheel made our detour worthwhile.
Known to shoppers as the Magnificent Mile, the Michigan Avenue thoroughfare is home to some of the city’s ritziest hotels, stores, galleries and eateries. Plan on spending a lot of time — if not money — checking out the eye candy.
Chicago has a thriving nightlife scene and an active theatre district. With limited-engagement and touring shows, it’s likely you can find an off-Broadway musical or comedy that will fit the playbill. We attended the hit musical “Wicked” at the glamorous, gold-gilded Oriental Theater. The untold story of the witches of Oz, “Wicked” is currently Chicago’s longest-running musical.
When night falls, Chicago shines. You can take in panoramic views of the city from the Sears Tower or the John Hancock Observatory. A kind Chicagoan turned us onto The Signature Room restaurant on the 95th floor of the Hancock Observatory, where the view is as majestic as the observatory floor, less the $12 per person charge.
Or, there’s always the bridge.

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With more than 50 years under its ears, Disneyland has become a classic summer destination — and with good reason. Boasting attractions and entertainment for all heights, and food to please any palate, it’s easy to see why families flock to the happiest place on earth. But just because it’s an old mouse doesn’t mean you won’t find some new tricks.
Hop on board and explore six of the Magic Kingdom’s splendors awaiting you this sunny season. Some are new, others are classics with a twist. And please, keep your hands and feet inside at all times. Thank you.

Character interaction
Instead of chasing down Cinderella, take your princesses and knights to the Princess Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland. There you’ll find all their favorite Disney princesses — and their charming counterparts. Through storytelling, crafts and a regal ceremony, up-and-coming damsels and gents learn the ropes of being royalty.
If your kiddos prefer sabers over swords, transport yourselves to Tomorrowland and enroll them in the Jedi Training Academy. There — under tutelage of a Jedi Master — they will master light saber skills, take the Jedi oath and battle the forces of the Dark Side.
Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular
Located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot at California Adventure Park, this amazing production will have you tapping your toes and singing along to memorable songs from the classic Disney animation, plus a new song written by composer Alan Menken just for this show. The action-packed 40-minute production provides the perfect opportunity to rest weary feet while enjoying the larger-than-life special effects and breathtaking talent.

Disney animation
The magic of Disney animation, from preliminary sketches to the finishing touches, is showcased at the Disney Animation attraction in California Adventure Park.
At the Animation Academy, a real Disney artist teaches guests how to draw a classic Disney character step-by-step, with gallery-worthy results.
Step into the Sorcerer’s Workshop for a hands-on preview of the magic behind animation, and take center stage in your favorite Disney movie when you lend your voice to Ursula.
A totally awesome adventure awaits at “Turtle Talk with Crush” where you’ll come face-to-fin with the sea turtle from the film “Finding Nemo.” Thanks to real-time animation, you’ll engage in live, unrehearsed conversations with this totally tubular turtle — and no two conversations are the same.

Disney dining
If you’re like most families, you know how tough it is to find one restaurant to please all your mousketeers. But with nearly 50 different places to grab a bite, ranging from on-the-go hot dogs to fine dining, you can have your cake and eat it, too. And for the tiny tots, be sure to check out the recently introduced toddler meals, featuring junior-sized portions of kid-friendly foods.

Pirates of the Caribbean
Beware Davy Jones as you hoist your anchor and set sail through the watery deep, home to pillaging pirates and buried treasure. Since its opening in 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean, located in New Orleans Square, has undergone several modifications including a refurbishment in 2006 to coincide with the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy.
Highlights include the addition of Davy Jones, Captain Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa, all voiced by their original actors.

Space Mountain
An out-of-this-world experience awaits aboard a Disney classic — Space Mountain. Located in the heart of Tomorrowland, this beloved ride has undergone a recent makeover and now features state-of-the-art special effects and a brand new soundtrack for you to rock out to while you whirl past shooting stars and celestial satellites.

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