Things to Do in North America

Possibly the city’s most popular attraction, Calgary Zoo has been caring for animals and animal lovers since 1929. Canada’s second largest zoo is home to animals from all over the world, from Asian elephants to African giraffes and Australian kangaroos.

Divided into geographical regions, the zoo’s highlights include the elephant encounter, Canadian wilds and Eurasia. For something different, Safari Brunch is served in Destination Africa.

The zoo is surrounded by lush botanical gardens featuring rainforest, arid gardens and a butterfly enclosure. Prehistoric Park is a favorite with kids, home to life-size dinosaurs and fossil displays.

Calgary Tower is a city landmark, teetering over the city’s downtown skyscrapers since 1968.

Atop the tower’s shaft you’ll find ‘the pod’, home to an observation deck and revolving restaurant. From here you have stunning views over the city, all the way to the snow-capped mountains fringing the horizon.

Peer through the binoculars on the observation deck, walk out on the glass floor rimming the edge of the observation deck if you dare, and dine in the revolving restaurant, Sky 360.

During special events, the Winter Olympics cauldron on the tower’s summit is lit, re-creating the Games magic.

On the southern tip of Point Loma, at the top of hill, you'll find Cabrillo National Monument. The spot is San Diego’s finest locale for history and fine views across the bay to San Diego's downtown. It's also the best place in San Diego to see the gray whale migration (January to March) from land. After a few minutes here, you may forget you’re in a major metropolitan area.

The visitors center at Cabrillo National Monument has an excellent presentation on Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s 1542 voyage up the California coast, plus good exhibits on the native inhabitants and the area’s natural history. Also here is the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which is appointed with late-19th century pieces, including lamps and picture frames hand-covered with hundreds of shells. On the ocean side, you can drive or walk down to the tide pools (at low tide) to look for anemones, starfish, crabs, and limpets.

Camelback Mountain is an iconic mountain visible throughout most of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Towering over the city at 2,704 feet (824 meters) above sea level, the mountain was named after its very obvious resemblance to a resting camel. Features include unique sheer red sandstone cliffs and a variety of desert wildlife, including rock squirrels, gila monsters, javelinas, coyotes and grey foxes. These natural wonders make the mountain a very popular spot for hiking and rock climbing.

A joint project between the State of California and the California Science Center Foundation, this is the largest interactive science center on the West Coast. Home to an IMAX theater, the Space Shuttle Endeavour and much more, the Center is a comprehensive tour through the world of science.

Permanent exhibits here include explorations of ecosystems and how they work (or don’t); the survival processes of all living things; feats of engineering, technology and other inventions; and air and space exhibits (where you’ll find the Endeavour). Outside, you’ll find an outdoor sculpture garden with several interactive details like mosaic tiles that impart scientific knowledge, and high above the Center’s entrance, visitors can ride a bicycle that’s been carefully balanced on a high wire.

One of the United States' premier science and natural history museums, the California Academy of Sciences holds a fascinating collection of 38,000 natural wonders. With its Morrison Planetarium, Steinhart Aquarium, four-story rain forest dome, and open-air, green "living roof," the academy is a highlight for many visitors to San Francisco.

Located at 115 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village, Cafe Wha? is a historic bar known for being the career birthplace of many well-known musicians and comedians. Open since the 1950s, some artists who consider Cafe Wha? a home include Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, Bill Crosby and Peter, Paul & Mary, to name a few. Although it’s gone through many changes over the years, you can expect high energy music in an informal atmosphere every night of the week. In 1987, the Cafe Wha? House Band was employed, and are now known throughout the world and regularly feature celebrity guest performers. You can hear them live Wednesday through Sunday, playing everything from Motown to Reggae to Alternative Rock and more. On Monday nights you’ll hear Brazooka, a Brazilian dance band incorporating elements of Jazz and Samba, while Tuesdays are a mix of soul, R&B and Funk with Disfunktion. While the house bands play every night at 9:30pm, you can check their calendar for talented guests to go on beforehand. Although the drinks tend to be overpriced and there is usually a cover charge, you will be guaranteed a good show of eclectic music. Moreover, the venue features an extensive bar menu with delicious appetizers, salads, burgers, entrees and desserts.

Cafe Wha? Is open daily from 8:30pm, except for Mondays when it opens at 9pm. Reservations are recommended. Cover charges are $10 on Mondays and Tuesdays, $5 on Thursdays, $12 on Fridays, $15 on Saturdays and free to enter on Wednesdays and Sundays. To get to Cafe Wha? by subway take the A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W 4th Street, or the 1, 2 to Christopher Street- Sheridan Square or Houston Street.