Cuter Every Week: San Diego Zoo Panda Cub Has Fifth Exam

Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2012, by Tammy Spratt, San Diego Zoo Global

Cuter Every Week: San Diego Zoo Panda Cub Has Fifth Exam San Diego Zoo Global Accepting Name Submissions until Sept. 24 2012-10-1 — /travelprnews.com/ — The panda cub at the San Diego Zoo was very calm today during his fifth veterinary exam. The male panda, born on July 29, 2012, weighed 4.9 pounds (2.26 kilograms), nearly… Read the full press release

Vermont Foliage Report: Bursts of Mid-Peak Foliage Begin to Glow in the Green Mountains

Listen to the  Quick-Info Radio Foliage Report (30 sec) Listen to the Full Audio Foliage Report (1 min) MONTPELIER, Vt. 2012-09-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — As seasonal cooling continues, colors are firing up, sometimes seemingly brightening overnight as foliage unfolds across Vermont’s scenic landscape. Foresters are now pointing out regions where colors are showing mid-stage foliage, at 25-50 percent peak in… Read the full press release

VERMONT STATE CALENDAR OF EVENTS: OCTOBER FOLIAGE CELEBRATIONS ABOUND

MONTPELIER, Vt., 2012-09-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — The month of October marks peak foliage and harvest festivals honor this dynamic change of seasons statewide. Here’s a sampler of the 250 events on VermontVacation.com this month: SculptFest 2012 Now – October 21 West Rutland The 25th anniversary exhibition features sculptural installations by regional and national artists on the theme “Keep… Read the full press release

Celebrate National Coffee Week at Four Seasons Hotel Denver with Specials at EDGE and The Spa

EDGE Restaurant & Bar

Start the morning off right with complimentary coffee at EDGE Restaurant & Bar in observance of National Coffee Day, and experience a Coffee Scrub at The Spa. Denver, U.S.A., 2012-09-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — For those who are “on edge” without their coffee, EDGE Restaurant & Bar is ready to deliver with a treat of complimentary LavAzza coffee in honour… Read the full press release

LAMILL COFFEE at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore is Creating a Buzz in Charm City

LAMILL COFFEE at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore is Creating a Buzz in Charm City

The Baltimore café introduces coffee and tea pairings, and weekly coffee cuppings. Baltimore, U.S.A. 2012-09-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — With the new generation of artisanal roasters and enthusiastic baristas, coffee culture across the country has been dramatically changing, especially in Baltimore. The city has seen an influx of artisan coffee shops over the past year, and at… Read the full press release

Time Travel Without Ever Leaving 2012 Chicago

Clarke House Museum, Chicago’s Oldest Surviving Building, Hosts Family Day, October 13 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — A trip to 1850s Chicago is as easy as visiting the Prairie Avenue Historic District where Chicago’s landmark house museum, the Clarke House Museum, hosts the free admission Family Day, Saturday, October 13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., one of… Read the full press release

Woodland Park Zoo: Construction begins for phase one of tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex

A hundred kids, elected officials, donors, and community members joined Woodland Park Zoo at a groundbreaking ceremony today for the zoo’s $19.6 million tiger and sloth bear complex. Phase one – Asian small-clawed otters and a kids’ nature play area -- will open in May 2013. Photo credit: Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo

Hundreds of guests join zoo at groundbreaking ceremony SEATTLE 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tiger-striped shovels, a hundred kids and a huge dirt pile, Southeast Asian-themed festivities, and sloth bears slurping watermelon and peanut butter were among the sights, sounds and smells at a ceremony today to break ground for Woodland Park Zoo’s new tiger and sloth… Read the full press release

Woodland Park Zoo earns two national awards for conservation projects

Zoo wins top conservation awards for its collaborative Oregon Spotted Frog Reintroduction Project and Oregon Silverspot Captive Rearing Program. Rendering credit: Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo

SEATTLE, 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Woodland Park Zoo has won top conservation awards from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the accrediting organization for more than 200 zoos and aquariums in North America. The awards were presented Wednesday at AZA’s annual conference in Phoenix. The zoo won this year’s top honors in the North American Conservation… Read the full press release

VIDEO: GLIMPSE OF THE SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO’S PANDA CUB

2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Smithsonian’s National Zoo staff and Panda Cam watchers have gotten several quick glimpses of female giant panda Mei Xiang’s cub since its birth Sept. 16 at 10:46 p.m. In this video from Sept. 17. at about 8:35 p.m. EST, Mei Xiang cradles the newborn and picks it up in her mouth as she shifts… Read the full press release

Scores of school kids to join zoo in breaking ground for major exhibit

Woodland Park Zoo will break ground on phase one of tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex, which will feature Asian small-clawed otters and a kids’ nature play area. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Phase one of tiger and sloth bear exhibit complex to open in 2013 WHAT Woodland Park Zoo will move one step closer to bringing Asian small-clawed otters, tigers and sloth bears to the zoo when it breaks ground for a 2-acre Asian tropical forest. Nearly a hundred school kids will join zoo… Read the full press release

Giant LOVE artwork to appear at Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Giant LOVE artwork to appear at Virginia Beach Oceanfront

LOVE Sandsculpture to be part of Virginia is for Lovers social media marketing campaign VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Love is popping up all over Virginia in many different and unexpected places as part of a state tourism campaign to share the message that love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.  Giant LOVE… Read the full press release

Saint Louis Zoo Receives Major Conservation Awards from AZA

Major International, National Conservation Awards Go to Saint Louis Zoo Grevy’s Zebra Trust Selected as Top International Conservation Program Edward H. Bean Award Honors Ozark Hellbender Propagation, Head-start, Conservation Silver Spring, Maryland, 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) today announced that the Saint Louis Zoo received major national recognition for its… Read the full press release

Run wild. Save animals. Inaugural Pumpkin Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk and free 1K Kids Dash for the zoo

Run wild for the Pumpkin Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk presented by Chevron Sunday, October 28. Photo Credit: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo

2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — WHAT Clear the cob webs from your costumes, lace up your running shoes and run wild at Woodland Park Zoo’s inaugural Pumpkin Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk presented by Chevron Sunday, October 28.Woodland Park Zoo’s Pumpkin Dash presented by Chevron kicks off the Halloween season with two spooktacular races, the 5K Run/Walk… Read the full press release

GIANT PANDA AT THE SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO GIVES BIRTH

2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mei Xiang, the National Zoo’s female giant panda gave birth to a cub Sunday, September 16 at 10:46 pm. National Zoo staff can hear the cub but have not yet seen it as Mei has built a substantial nest in her den. This is Mei Xiang and Tian Tian’s second cub born… Read the full press release

Saint Louis Zoo Calendar of Events — September-December 2012

2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — September 2012 Daily through September 30, 2012 Stingrays at Caribbean Cove featuring Sharks. Admission is $3.00 for general public and $1.50 for Zoo Friends members up to Zoo-Goer level. Members at the Family level and above may use their Anywhere Plus passes for admission. Children under two are free. Feeding is… Read the full press release

One year on: Signature Experiences Collection® case studies Vol. 2: Rockwood Adventures.

Domestic and international media exposure continues to grow for this Vancouver, BC, operator with a love of the Canadian outdoors. 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Few cities in the world offer urban and nature travel experiences so close together as Vancouver, BC — that priceless ability to go from a downtown lunch to a beach or mountain slope in less… Read the full press release

Virginia is Ready to Celebrate October Virginia Wine Month

Wine lovers invited to “Discover Your Local Crush” during statewide celebration at wineries, festivals and special tastings RICHMOND, Va. 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — October Virginia Wine Month is just around the corner, presenting the ideal time for wine lovers to visit Virginia and Discover Your Local Crush at more than 220 wineries statewide.  2012 marks the… Read the full press release

Where the Chefs Eat Houston Culinary Tours Back for 2013 with New Chefs, New Tours

Tours Showcase City’s Culinary Diversity, Hidden Gems 2012-09-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Houston’s top chefs–who are just as interested in showcasing Houston’s mom and pop restaurants as their own–continue their mission into 2013 to introduce locals and visitors alike to Houston’s culinary diversity by showing participants where they eat on their days off. Four years in, Houston… Read the full press release

Six Flags Magic Mountain Brings You Thrills by Day, Fright by Night

New Mazes, Scare Zones, Shows and Extended Park Hours OCTOBER 5-7, 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28 2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms from a “theme park” to a haunted “scream park” for the 20th season of Fright Fest Presented by SNICKERS®, Southern California’s most thrilling Halloween experience. This season marks one of the biggest and… Read the full press release

New Water Park Breaks Ground in Texarkana

Invite

2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Holiday Springs Water Park is set to be Texarkana’s new go-to water playground. This Wednesday (September 19) marks the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility .The multi-million dollar venture will be built at Crossroads Business Park, a 1,000 acre multi-use area that is quickly becoming the center of an ongoing citywide business… Read the full press release

Two Arkansas Events named as 2013 Top 100 Events in North America

Johnny Cash Tribute

2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Two Arkansas events, the Johnny Cash Music Festival in Jonesboro and Little Rock’s Riverfest, have been selected by the American Bus Association as two of the ABA’s 2013 Top Events in North America. Riverfest has an impressive record with this honor, having also been selected in 1984, 1987, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2010,… Read the full press release

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is a Perfect Playground for Rock Climbing, Zip Lining and Swinging

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in the fall

Jasper, Ark., 2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Horseshoe Canyon Ranch Adventure Package adds wild excitement to the dude ranch experience for kids and adults of all skill levels interested in rock climbing, zip lines and canyon-sized swings. I had the pleasure of giving it a whirl in late August and felt like a kid on the… Read the full press release

Northwest Nebraska open for business despite wildfires

Parks and attractions reopen after recent fires LINCOLN, NEB. 2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Recent wildfires have created the misperception that travel is limited and businesses are closed in northwest Nebraska. Although many businesses were affected by the fires, nearly all have reopened and are looking forward to active fall tourism and hunting seasons. The Northwest Nebraska… Read the full press release

Stand-up Paddleboarding Comes to Arkansas

Stand-up Paddleboarding at Two Rivers Bridge

2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Encountering a person on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is still somewhat of a novel sight in the state. As a result, the scene sparks a lot of curiosity. “People will ask, ‘Where did you get that?’ ‘Where can you buy those around here?’ ‘What are you doing?’ All the questions come,” said… Read the full press release

Sloth bears make their final appearance before new exhibit construction begins. Last chance to visit the sloth bears until 2014

Sloth bears Randy and Tasha will make their final appearance at Woodland Park Zoo before new exhibit construction begins. Rendering credit: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo

SEATTLE, 2012-09-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — September 15-16 marks the final weekend to view the sloth bears at Woodland Park Zoo before construction begins for the new Asian tropical forest exhibit. Randy, the 16-year-old male sloth bear, came to the zoo in June of 1996. Tasha, a 7-year-old female, has lived at Woodland Park Zoo for just under… Read the full press release

The Leading Hotels of the World Presents Picture Perfect Pools

Guests Take the Plunge in Spectacular Surroundings NEW YORK, NY 2012-09-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Make a splash in the best pools around the world with Leading Hotels. From Thailand to Turkey, LHW offers pools with panache. The heart of bustling Bangkok may seem an odd place for a truly spectacular swimming pool, but that is just… Read the full press release

Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark’s King Kaw Rapids River Voted The World’s Second Best New Waterpark Ride

Park receives national recognition during the annual Golden Ticket Awards KANSAS CITY, KS 2012-09-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark received international recognition from Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards naming the King Kaw rapids river as the World’s Second Best New Waterpark Ride. Nicknamed the “Academy Awards of the Amusement Park Industry,” the Golden Ticket… Read the full press release

Free Admission to The Hershey Story as Part of “Museum Day Live!”

Hershey, Pa., 2012-09-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue will participate in Smithsonian magazine’s eighth annual “Museum Day Live!” on Saturday, September 29, 2012. This one-day program emulates the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities and includes participating museums across the country that offer free admission on… Read the full press release

What’s Your Weekend Alter Ego? New Survey from Hampton Hotels Reveals Americans’ “Weekend State of Mind”

Hampton and Happiness Expert Dr. Christine Carter to Analyze Positive Effects of the Weekend MCLEAN, Va., 2012-09-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — A national survey* released today by Hampton Hotels uncovered that one in three Americans (33 percent) claims they are a “completely different person” on the weekends than they are during the week.  The survey, which delves into… Read the full press release

Savour the Fall Season and Wine & Dine for a Cause at deca RESTAURANT at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel

deca BAR with its scenic views

Fall brings a Whole Hog Menu, Drive-In Theatre offer and special Pink Menu to support breast cancer research. 2012-09-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — This fall, deca RESTAURANT + BAR at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, AFour Seasons Hotel, offers a Theatre Prix Fixe with complimentary parking, “Pink”tober specials to benefit breast cancer research, and a Whole Hog celebration featuring ten pork dishes… Read the full press release