May 28, 2004 -- In the last issue of this Newsletter, we told you about promotional packages in some US cities in the eastern part of the country, in which the tourism officials there hope to lure you to visit them this summer instead of running off to the mountains or the beaches. Today, we want to look at a few major cities out west (of the Mississippi, that is), and one (New Orleans) that straddles that river way down South.
Denver
Advance Notice #1: Next week, you can get details about the Denver Discount Card, which will be available at various locations around the city. This is a new promotion for Denver, the book of coupons offering deals at about a dozen attractions in the city (including the Art Museum and the Zoo), and a dozen restaurants. Contact them at www.denver.org (but no information on the card there at time of writing) or phone 800/233-6837.
New Orleans
Advance Notice #2: Soon, New Orleans will start issuing its Summer Coupon book, which offers discounts to many of The Big Easy's main attractions. There's nothing on the website about it at time of writing, but you can phone 800/672-6124 and they can give you details there. The website, in any case, is www.neworleanscvb.com.
Portland OR
For the fourth year running, Portland has its Cool Summer Deals program going, offering exclusive discounts at 33 area hotels, plus discounts on attractions, dining, tax-free shopping, even travel on Amtrak to get there and back. There are well-priced hotel packages, some of which include overnight parking and continental breakfast for two, and a brand-new Portland Attractions Pass, giving you discounted admission to eight of their best attractions. There are also discounts on nearby summer activities, such as jet boat rides on the Willamette River, adventures in the Columbia River Gorge, and family fun at an aquatic park. There are also hotel packages for the Portland Art Museums' big exhibition, "Masterpieces from the Rau Collection" (first time in the USA, 95 paintings over six centuries from Fra Angelico to Bonnard), on view through August 22, 2004, as well. Contact them at www.travelportland.com/cool_deals or phone 877/PORTLAND (same as 877/678-5263).
San Francisco
Running from now through November 30, 2004 is a Great Weekend Great Deal for Couples program, which you should book by June 30, however. For $350, you get a two night stay for two persons between Friday and Mondays at a top hotel; a San Francisco Bay cruise for two; a wine-tasting experience at a winery in Napa or Sonoma; a one-day rental car from Dollar (some blackout dates); a $50 credit on the Hornblower Dinner Dance Cruise with a minimum two ticket purchase; a three-day Pass for two on the Municipal Railway; a welcome kit that includes guide books, maps and discount coupons; and an "I Left My Heart in San Francisco Special Edition" Barbie Doll. You have to book seven days in advance and stay a maximum of two nights. Some blackout dates apply and everything is subject to availability. A typical hotel in the program is the Holiday Inn Select & Spa Downtown, right on Kearny Street. Contact www.sfvisitor.org or phone 415/391-2000 (sorry, there is no toll-free number).
Seattle
Seattle is one of only two cities in the USA offering a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to see one of the world's finest collections of Van Gogh's work. The Seattle Art Museum will show off 75 masterpieces of modern painting and sculpture, many never previously exhibited in the United States, before the show goes to Atlanta, its only other US venue. The program, "Van Gogh to Mondrian: Modern Art from the Kroller-Muller Museum", runs from May 29 to September 12, 2004. Works include those by Seurat, Picasso, Leger and Mondrian. There are several hotel packages in connection with the show that include priority hotel "fast track ticket vouchers" which allow you to skip the long lines and pick up your timed ticket at Will Call when you arrive at the museum. A typical hotel package is at the Comfort Suites Seattle Center, where the price per room is $139 a night. For complete information on a good website, go to www.seeseattle.org/vangogh. You can also phone 800/535-7071. Check out the Super Saver packages on the site, too. For more information on the exhibit, check out www.seattleartmuseum.org or phone 877/ART TRIP.