There’s a place to laugh in Portland. The whole city is really rather pleasant, and perhaps one of the most pleasant in the country. It’s a great town to laugh in, because there are always interesting things going on, and the pace is laid-back enough to enjoy it. Enjoying the moment is, in fact, one of the great past times here, and if it’s ever challenging, it’s one that’s taken seriously. So, folks who take their laughs seriously have a new spot in town, the Helium Comedy Club .

It’s another version of the highly successful one in Philadelphia, and good news for the NorthWest. It’s always good news when there’s a new comedy club, and this one is part of a great tradition. Travelers coming to town, checking Portland hotel rates and wondering what else is happening can count on some lovely nights in pubs, with live music, and now, plenty of stand-up. Their lineup includes some of the coolest new names in comedy, and among them, Natasha Leggero is a sparkling sensation. Her humor is both biting and charming, and can leave even the most serious guest defenseless. Rising stars are often coming to Portland, and they can be seen all around town.

Dallas is a great place to get out at night and have some fun. The streets of the famous warehouse district called Deep Ellum is where the creative art and music are tossed out for everyone to enjoy. This is not just another street lined with corporate restaurants and stores. This is a street where trends are started.

During the day you can wonder around the area checking out the really cool vintage shops and fashion boutiques as well as art galleries and tattoo parlors. You may find a great treasure that will end up being some sort of new top fashion created right there in Dallas.

There are a number of places to catch some live music in the neighborhood. One moment you could be siting in a cafe sipping on coffee listening to a live acoustic duo and the other slamming shots in a dance club. Get a cab from one of the best dallas hotels that you are staying in and check out what the artists are up to in Deep Ellum. It is Soho with a drawl. An art district is not the first thing you think of when visiting Dallas but it is there and it is alive.

The oldest cities seem to have all the best ghost stories, which probably makes good sense. Whether the hauntings are products of real lives, or products of the imagination, an old city with as many people as Boston has plenty of room to entertain both possibilities. Those who are looking for a little bit of haunted fun and touring in the city are in for some real surprises, and guests in the Boston hotels can find tours, or just make their own.

One very popular spot among the ghost buster crowd is Boston Common, a site that played host to a rather disturbingly large number of hangings. There was a gallows installed in the middle of the 18th century, and the hangings continued into the first part of the nineteenth century. There were stories of these events that came well before this, from the 17th century at least, and one of the most interesting is the case of Mary Dyer .

Hers is not just the story of a haunting, but contains events that speak of Boston’s history. She was an outspoken Quaker, and her passionate work ultimately lead to her unfortunate end, but not before she was also accused of giving birth to a monster child . Such events are deep in Boston’s past, fortunately, but they still hold a lot of interest.

Once you’ve had a chance to check into the Jerusalem hotels of your choice, you’ll quickly note that this ancient city is a travel destination unlike any other. Located in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea and the north side of the Dead Sea, the oldest portion, the City of David, was established in the 4th millennium BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. With many sites sacred to the great religions of the world, you may find it difficult to know exactly where to start. Over two million people who visit Jerusalem each year are faced with this choice: What’s the best way to get an overview of this historically and spiritually rich city? How do you begin?

To get an overview of the city itself, perhaps you should take a trip to a citadel originally constructed about 2,000 years ago by Herod the Great. At the Tower of David Museum , you’ll see incredibly scenic views from the citadel towers, enabling you to take in the modern and ancient city and its rich, archaeological gardens.

The museum is dedicated to the long history of Jerusalem, tracking the many years with state-of-the-art exhibits and displays, exploring how the city and its peoples changed throughout the centuries — from Canaanites, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans, Crusaders, Muslims, Turks, and British and Israelis.

From the Tower of David Museum, it’s possible to gain a perspective in a city that has lasted literally thousands of years, stretching back nearly to pre-history, and home to the world’s most important religious sites, from the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock to the al Aqsa Mosque.

Right now the best time to visit Denver is in August, mainly because of the Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series. This year will be the Gardens 30th year in delivering one of the best summer concert series in the United States.

Beginning August 3rd, Joan Armatrading, the 3 time Grammy nominee with 19 stunning albums to her credit will kick of the Summer Concert Series. August 5th brings in Nanci Griffith and Leo Kottke, both masters of the guitar. August 11th, the remarkable depth of Marc Cohn and his lyrical poetry set to music will be felt throughout the night.

The second half of August, Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer will come together on the 19th and transcend the world of classical jazz, bluegrass and world music. The next night, August 20th, Grammy winning Shawn Colvin and Loudon Wainwright III, will delight the audience with the best traditional folk music in the world.

Sorry folks, but Garrison Keillor’s ‘A Prairie Home Companion’, is already sold out for August 29th! But, it’s still not too late to buy tickets for all the rest of the fantastic line-up in August. Plus, there are still rooms available with great Denver hotel rates from now through the end of summer. You may puchase tickets at the Denver Botanic website or by phone. Ticket prices vary if you have membership to the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Are you ready for a posh night out in the big city of Chicago. This city has some really special places to enjoy a wonderful meal and a glass of wine. Each restaurant has something unique and impressive to share. Whether you like a restaurant with a high view of the city, owned and operated by a famous chef or nestled in an intimate cozy atmosphere, there is a perfect place for you.  

A view from the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange get a reservation at Everest Chicago The atmosphere is fresh and modern featuring bronze sculptures that were created by Ivo Soldini, through out the room. The cuisine is influence by the sophisticated yet country style of Alsace France. This restaurant has gotten some very high remarks from the top publications in the industry in all categories, food, wine and atmosphere.  

If you like a super modern atmosphere inside an historical building head over to L2O . This place is fantastic. The cuisine specialty is the seafood with a mix of worldly influences. Chef Gras is originally from France where he got his start in cooking. He has worked his way up to being one of the most renown chef’s in the field, known all over the world. He has been the top chef at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria as well as San Francisco’s Fifth Floor where he has won best chef awards. Today his creations can be enjoyed in Chicago.  

The magazine’s Esquire and Wine Spectator have given two thumbs way up for Vivere . This is a landmark restaurant in Chicago that features some wonderful Italian cuisine. It is downtown and not far from many of the luxury hotels chicago has so you are sure to get to it easily. See and taste for yourself how the chef’s at this restaurant spin your favorite meats, poultry, seafood and fish into some wonderful mouth watering dishes.