VISIT: Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Harbor Cruises gets visitors up close and personal with whales
Any day devoted to racing over ocean waves under a sapphire sky is a good day, but it’s near perfect when you’re also watching 60-foot humpback whales enjoying lunch. Boston Harbor Cruises boards tour- goers on high-speed catamarans for a three- hour trip that visits Stellwagen Bank, the site of the whales’ favorite East Coast buffet. Seemingly impervious to the boat, whales with names such as Splice and Tear (identified by the distinctive markings on their flukes, or tails), dive deep for tiny fish – consuming up to 3,000 pounds a day – sometimes within 30 feet of awed spectators. A naturalist from the Whale Center of New England narrates every trip, describing whale behaviors such as bubble clouding and tail slapping as a way to entice meals. Though adults can weigh up to 30 tons, these mammals are graceful dancers in an unforgettable show. Cost is $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, $29 for children ages 4-12. Boston Harbor Cruises, One Long Wharf, 877-733-9425 or
SEE: Charleston, South Carolina
Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens lets folks get peek at city’s historic residences
The Preservation Society of Charleston will host its 31st annual Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens Sept. 27-Oct. 28, which allows visitors to wander along the city’s peninsula, peeking into the gloriously renovated historic houses, churches and public buildings, with volunteer guides interpreting the history and architecture. Tickets are $45 per person. Visit the website for tour schedules by street or neighborhood. Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens, 843-722-4630 or
PLAY: Chicago, Illinois
Crown Family PlayLab new interactive learning center for tots at Field Museum
With a primary focus on ages 2 to 6, the new Crown Family PlayLab at the Field Museum, which opens Sept. 14, offers young ones the opportunity to play junior scientist at the earliest possible age, when they are at their most curious and open to a variety of learning styles. The hands-on exhibits include a 3-D animal diorama for play- acting, a lab, a dinosaur field station, a music station where kids can play percussion instruments, and an art studio. Admission is $12 adults, $7 ages 4-11. The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, 312-922-9410 or
– Denver Post staff and wire reports
