Travel News

NEW YORK CITY
SWITCH-A-ROO

One month it’s a drive-in movie theater. Three months later, it could be the place to go for some friendly ping-pong competition. Change is the concept behind GrandOpening (www.139norfolk.com), on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Every few months, the venue is transformed, with the hopes of engaging and amusing visitors. It’s an interesting concept, one that makes visiting GrandOpening an exciting activity. You never know what you’ll encounter next.

DETROIT
NOW SHOWING

Just weeks ago, the Detroit Institute of Arts (www.dia.org) opened its doors after a six-and-a-half year, $158 million renovation and expansion. Upgrades include increased gallery space (adding about 58,000 square feet), more visitor amenities and a new granite façade.

In addition, a portion of the collection was reinstalled in a way that presents the works according to stories, rather than time period or style. For example, “Art and the Cycle of Life” displays objects from African cultures used to commemorate milestones in life, such as as birth and marriage.

SAN DIEGO
ROCK ON

Just opened in the Gaslamp Quarter is the 12-story Hard Rock Hotel San Diego (www.hardrockhotelsd.com; 866-751-7625).

With 420 suites, a stunning lobby lounge, rooftop pool bar and the upscale sushi restaurant Nobu, guests can enjoy the luxurious rock-star vibe.

LAS VEGAS
RESERVE A TABLE

Next month, Chef Emeril Lagasse will open Table 10 (www.emerils.com) at the brand-new Palazzo. The restaurant is named after a table from his first restaurant (in New Orleans), which was a roundtable of sorts for the chef and his staff. “It was an open forum to discuss ideas… and create new dishes,” Lagasse says. “I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve got planned for this restaurant.” Neither can we.

5 OF THE BEST SPAS IN THE US, ACCORDING TO TRAVEL + LEISURE’S 2007 WORLD’S BEST AWARDS, ARE:

The he Sanctuary at Kiawah - Island Golf Resort - KIAWAH ISLAND, SC - (25 miles from Charleston)

The Spa at - Hotel Crescent Court - DALLAS

The Spa at - Mandarin Oriental - NEW YORK CITY

Ritz-Carlton Huntington - Hotel & Spa - PASADENA, CA - (10 miles from LA)

The Spa at - Mandarin Oriental - MIAMI