In The Hubs

MAD About You

It opened in 1956 in a Victorian brownstone as the Museum of Contemporary Crafts. In 1986, it moved to a building on W. 53rd Street and was renamed the American Craft Museum. In September, the once-again-renamed Museum of Arts & Design opened in its new state-of-the-art home at Columbus Circle. To celebrate, the museum presents Permanently MAD, an exhibit featuring 250 works from its permanent collection, including woodwork, stoneware, jewelry, stained glass, and other media. It’s on display through February 15, 2009. 212.299.7777; madmusuem.org

It’s always nice to pretend summer isn’t too far off. A perfect way to urge the warm weather along is to visit the New York National Boat Show. Taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on W. 34th Street, December 13–21, the show presents the latest nautical products, the newest vessels, and the most up-to-date advice from experts. Visitors can enter contests to win a boating vacation in Alaska or the Bahamas, take part in the Power Boat Docking Challenge, or just stick around to see if Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel makes an appearance. 212.984.7007; nyboatshow.com

It gets very cold in Lake Woebegon this time of year, so Garrison Keillor brings A Prairie Home Companion and the news from home to New York’s Town Hall for seven live shows December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, and 27. Join existentialist detective Guy Noir, philosophical cowboys Dusty and Lefty, and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet as they bring Powdermilk Biscuits and Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery to a city where everyone is above average. prairiehome.publicradio.org — David McDonough

Out of This World

Outer space seems a little closer when viewed from the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. You can use a simulator to maneuver a lunar lander onto the moon’s surface, explore the solar system via feeds from the Hubble telescope, play with microgravity, or watch a video that takes you inside a space station. The center is open daily (holidays excepted), and admission is free. Space in 3D, a special program on December 30, will have you orbiting Earth and walking on Mars (virtually, of course). 216.433.2000; nasa.gov

Take in some night lights at Hale Farm and Village during the Holiday Lantern Tours, December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 23. The annual event at the living history museum in Bath features guided tours through Wheatfield, a re-created Civil War-era settlement. Meet the costumed residents in their homes to find out how Christmas was celebrated in 1863. Ninety-minute tours depart every 20 minutes between 6:00 and 8:20 p.m. 330.666.3711; wrhs.org

The Akron Art Museum is one of 59 museums in 25 countries hosting Heresies throughout this fall and winter. This set of retrospective exhibitions features work by contemporary Mexican photographer and cultural provocateur Pedro Meyer. The images at each venue explore a different theme. The show in Akron, on display December 6 through February 22, focuses on expressions of faith. 330.376.9185; akronartmuseum.org — Laura Taxel

Imagine That

Downtown Houston is positively aglow for the holidays. There are lights everywhere, and at Discovery Green, kids can skate or pose with Santa while DJs play “cool” tunes for skaters at the 7,200-square-foot ice rink. The whole family can join 5,000 runners, many in costume, and get a start on working off their holiday treats with the 5-mile Jingle Bell Run. The December 14 event also features a Kids Fun Walk. jinglebellrunonline.org

No matter which traditions you celebrate, holiday illumination symbolizes peace, happiness, and fun. That’s the message of Seasons of Sharing. This multicultural show, at the Children’s Museum of Houston through January 5, spotlights Christmas and Hanukkah as well as Kwanzaa, Las Posadas (Mexico’s nine days of parties, piñatas, and luminaria-lit processions), Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights symbolizing the victory of good over evil), and Ramadan (the Islamic month of fasting). Continental is an official sponsor of the Children’s Museum of Houston. 713.522.1138; cmhouston.org — Michele Meyer

Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Go Explore” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your vacation, contact Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com.