Destinations | The Caribbean, Mexico, New Orleans, New York

The galleries at El Museo del Barrio have reopened after an 18-month renovation. The museum's facilities have been reconfigured to include a cafe, a new facade and a redesigned courtyard. The reopening coincides with the launch of an exhibition, Nexus New York: Latin/American Artists in the Modern Metropolis, exploring connections between Latino and non-Latino artists of the early 20th century, and how their exchanges and cross-influences impacted avant-garde art movements.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

Still time for deals before the seasonal tourist rush

With tourist season still about six weeks away, Miami attractions are hoping to draw in local residents with two-for-one and other discounted admissions. You could consider a visit an early scouting mission for friends and relatives from up north.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

A blooming good time in Delray Beach

At least 20 types of orchids will be in bloom this month at the American Orchid Society's greenhouse in Delray Beach, from the ruffled Laeliocattleya Tainan City ''Chian Chin'' to the slender Epidendrum ciliare.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

Staycations even cheaper with admission coupons

Miami is offering discount coupons to eight attractions during next month at www.EveryonesaKid.com. To be eligible for the discounts for admission for places ranging from the Miami Metrozoo to Everglades Alligator Farm, you must print the coupons out and present them at the gate Oct. 1-31.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

Ready for some football? Away games around the corner

Want to watch your favorite team, but the economy has eaten into your budget for travel to away games? We've got the spots for you. Most have drink specials on Game Day. Check Miami.com for details.

Destinations | California, Norway, West Virginia, Florida

The Nobel Peace Center in Oslo this week opens From King to Obama focusing on Martin Luther King Jr. and how the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s paved the way for Barack Obama's historic election. ''There are many obvious similarities between King and Obama in terms of their values, their political strategies and in their rhetoric and public impact,'' says Bente Erichsen, director of the center. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 when he was just 35 years old, the youngest ever Peace Prize laureate.

Destinations

It's almost elk rutting season in Estes Park. Why do you care when elks rut? Because it's fun to hear their bugling (mating calls), and because it's a good excuse for a festival. The celebration of rutting season gets into high gear Oct. 3-4 with Elk Fest, which includes a bugling competition for humans (must really confuse the elk) as well as storytelling, music and food. Elk sightings are a virtual certainty. They're all over the place, and they aren't shy. What's more, there are plenty of places in town to eat one. Yum!

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

Where to stay when you're staying out late

Sometimes the best stay-at-home vacation is club-hopping on South Beach or roller-blading on Hollywood's Broadwalk. Some local hostels are pitching themselves as the solution for club-hoppers and late-night diners who don't want to end an evening of partying by getting behind the wheel.

Destinations

COLORADO: BLUES & BREWS

Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Anders Osborne and many more will be taking part in the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Sept. 18-20, in Telluride Town Park, an outdoor venue with a backdrop of 13,000-foot mountain peaks. Late night shows will be held at local juke joints in town. The Brews part of the program promises more than 150 beers from more than 50 microbreweries.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

Put some culture into your staycation

If you like to hit art museums on your vacation but haven't seen your way clear to take a leisure trip this year, here's a close-to-home alternative: the gallery walk.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

We've got our own Latin Quarter in Little Havana

If you don't want to wait til March for Calle Ocho and a shot of Cuban culture with your cafecito, here are some essential stops in and around Little Havana:

VACATION AT HOME

Florida's wine country

Just about any day of the week in South Florida, you can find a shop hosting a wine tasting -- if traditional wines like Pinot Grigio and merlot are what you're looking for.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

With tourists away, locals can play

Sticky, sultry August, when tourists are keeping their distance, brings a spate of bargains for locals vacationing at home. Here are some South Florida attractions that are offering free or discounted admission and a sampling of hotel deals.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

Flamingo Gardens, it's for the birds

It's breeding season, and the birds at Flamingo Gardens are showing off. They're in full plumage with brilliant color. Most of them are in the free-flight aviary, in full view of visitors.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

A tranquil getaway's just across the bridge

If your idea of a perfect beach involves a waiter to fetch your drinks and the amenities of a high-rise hotel, then the beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park may not be for you.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

An exotic trip's just around the corner

It's hot and buggy, but it's peak season for the tropical fruits at Redland Fruit & Spice Park. You can sample lychees, longans, jackfruit, cinnamon apple, ice cream bean, carambola, mangoes and other fruits that the park staff cut up and set out, and you're allowed to eat any fallen fruit you find as well.

VACATION AT HOME | LOCAL DEALS AND DIVERSIONS

Four Season's new spa a real treat(ment)

As summer days alternate between monsoons and hot-and-sticky, the thought of jetting off to a faraway, cool place (hmm, Switzerland?) sounds oh so appealing.