Prelude - In the Know

prelude in the know

Words by Jill Park

1|Stay over

Experience opulent turn-of-the-century New York with a stay at the Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue. Designed by Harry Allen Jacobs in 1904, the classic hotel recently underwent a massive fi ve-year restoration, costing $60 million, to return the former jewel in the crown of New York’s glamorous hotel scene to its prime. Guests can enjoy a meal by renowned chef Geoffrey Zakarian in the new Country Restaurant under a restored Tiffany glass dome, or relax in one of the 316 beautifully refurbished rooms, many of which come with views of the nearby Empire State Building. www.carltonhotelny.com

2|Eye up >>

Are you a bride-to-be who can’t decide which wedding dress to go for? Get inspiration from around the world at the new “I Do” exhibition, opening June 11 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The exhibition, to be held in the newly refurbished Paul Fashion Arts and Textile Arts Gallery, will include everything from an 1837 silk damask gown to a Christian Lacroix wedding cake dress from the late 1980s. Photo murals throughout the exhibition will give visitors an idea of the culture behind the dresses. www.ima-art.org

3|Party on

Have a true San Francisco party experience at the 52nd North Beach Festival on June 17 and 18. Some 150,000 people usually turn up to enjoy some of the quirky regular events, such as celebrity pizza tossing and Assisi animal blessings, as well as live music and street art. There will also be a visit from Monterey’s excellent Beat Museum on Wheels. Jerry Cimino owns the museum with John Allen Cassady, son of Neal Cassady, author Ken Kesey’s muse for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Admission is free. www.sfnorthbeach.org

4|Drive thru

Ever wanted to race around a track in a Hummer H2 or go off the road in your own Chevy Tahoe truck? “The Drive” is Las Vegas’s fi rst auto-tainment experience, offering visitors the choice of 13 vehicles and a selection of tracks. Two professional 11-acre driving courses can now be found at the base of the Sahara Hotel and Casino monorail station. The tracks include a high-performance loop as well as an off-road adventure for drivers to speed around, all for just $10. Passengers can enjoy the ride at no extra cost. www.lasvegas.com