NASCAR CAFE LAS VEGAS
The NASCAR Cafe at the Sahara Hotel and Casino features NASCAR memorabilia and stock car racing entertainment via giant projection television screens. The eatery's stock car racing showcase features NASCAR Winston Cup cars as well as the world's largest stock car, a Pontiac Grand Prix that weighs in at more than 3 tons. It "performs" an hourly engine-roaring exhibition. We expect you'll either love the place or hate it. This NASCAR Cafe is the fifth addition to a chain that has outlets in Nashville and Sevierville, Tenn.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Orlando, Fla. Web site: www.NASCARCafelasvegas.com
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO., INFORMATION
This western Colorado metropolis isn't exactly tourist central, but it is a gateway to fascinating attractions if you're into Mother Nature. Grand Mesa, for example, is nearby, as are dinosaur quarries and Colorado National Monument (please see lead story on this page). The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau is offering vacation packages with deals on lodging. Information is available by calling 1-800-962-25547 or visiting the Web. Web site: www.visitgrandjunction.com
HOT LONDON ACCOMMODATIONS
The Web site www.londontown.com sponsored People's Choice Awards, which named winners in various tourism categories. Taking top honors in the lodging category was the Four Season Hotel London, Hotel of the Year (more than 50 bedrooms); the Colonnade, Hotel of the Year (under 50 bedrooms); Number Sixteen, best Bed and Breakfast Accommodation. The favorite attractions were British Airways London Eye (the new, giant Ferris-type wheel on the banks of the Thames River); the Tower of London; the Millennium Dome; Buckingham Palace; and Madame Tussaud. The Big Bus Company was voted the best sightseeing tour; and Greenwich was voted the best tourist information center.
MORE KUDOS
Readers of Travel & Leisure magazine named San Francisco the World's Best City and the Best City in the United States. Full results of the readers' poll are available on the Web. Web site: www.travelandleisure.com
SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS
It'll cost you plenty, but for $125 (which covers a class in animal training techniques), you can wade into shallow water with SeaWorld San Diego trainers to feed, touch, hug and play with a bottlenose dolphin. The experience, called SeaWorld's Dolphin Interaction Program (DIP), lasts 90 minutes. Make reservations by calling 1-877-436-5746.
E-mail: kclayton@desnews.com