New York/Newark
Stiff Competition
It doesn’t have the sauciness of Cannes or the hedonism of Sundance, but that didn’t stop more than 465,000 people from attending Manhattan’s Tribeca Film Festival in 2006. Actor Robert De Niro and his producing partners Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff began the downtown festival in 2002 to help New York rebound from 9/11, and it has grown each year. In 2006, Tribeca showed more than 250 films from around the world, including short subjects and documentaries. Adding to the fun are appearances by actors and directors and a giant street fair celebrating the diversity of New York’s downtown. This year’s festival takes place April 25–May 6. tribecafilmfestival.org
If the warmer temperatures inspire you to get out and explore the city, NYC RUN can help you out. These adrenaline-filled folks figured out a way to tour the city and get your endorphins going at the same time. Each tour is led by an experienced runner-guide; distances range from 1.6 miles (the Reservoir Run, in Central Park) to 13.3 miles (one of four Broadway Runs) and cover a variety of locations. Best of all, you can tear through Tribeca and feel superior to those still sitting inertly in dark theaters watching The Nanny Diaries. nycrun.com — David McDonough
Houston
Wall-to-Wall Attractions
Frog-kissing princesses should check out the chaotic and colorful amphibious exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this month. Through May 6, Frogs! A Chorus of Colors exposes these slimy creatures, warts and all (713.639.4629; hmns.org). In truth, frogs don’t spread warts — but they can be poisonous or cannibalistic, so it’s wise to keep your lips to yourself.
“Many are brighter and more colorful than the most beautiful birds, and they can range in size from less than an inch long to the size of a human infant,” says Edward Castillo, the museum’s associate zoology curator.
The exhibit displays more than 150 animals in 18 habitats, from scorching desert to tropical forest. The creatures range from the golden mantella frog to the fire-bellied toad, which blends in to hide from prey before flipping to stun victims with its crimson belly. Pay attention as you make your way through, because if you soak up trivia you’ll be able to correctly answer questions in a maze that allows you to progress through four layers of rain forest.
For perspective on a more famous barrier, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where the exhibit The Great Wall of China: Photographs by Chen Changfen is on display through August 12. It’s the first exhibition in North America of Changfen’s work. Continental is an official sponsor of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 713.639.7300; mfah.org — Michele Meyer
Houston
Little Italy, Big Texas:
A man’s home is his castle, the saying goes. But the Granduca Luxury Residential Hotel offers guests the chance to make a palace their home — in southeastern Texas. Inspired by the 16th-century palace of the Grand Duke of Monfallito, this six-story Italianate hotel in Houston has 130 luxury residences — studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom units — ranging in size from 425 to 2,100 square feet. Each residence includes a full-service kitchen, state-of-the-art electronics, and a team of experienced professionals who cater to guests as though they were, well, staying in a hotel. Also, with both a meeting facility and a complete business center, this palace can double as home and office. But when work is over, a trip to the neighboring Uptown Park shopping center (modeled after an Italian villa, no less) provides not only the usual cafés and boutiques but a lovely wine house as well. granducahouston.com — Alicia Fontaine
Cleveland
From Jump Shots to Jazz Music
If you’ve followed your team to town for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four April 1 and 3, chances are you’ll be at Quicken Loans Arena watching them try to take it all the way. But there’s a lot to hear in Cleveland, even after the buzzers and cheers have stopped.
For one, the inaugural season of Opera Cleveland opens with Salome April 20, 22, 27, and 28 at the State Theater. 216.575.0903; operacleveland.org
Elsewhere, crooner Tony Bennett headlines the 28th Annual Tri-C JazzFest, April 19–29. Also on the bill will be four-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves (left) and composer and keyboardist George Duke. 216.987.4400; tricpresents.com
Continental is an official sponsor of Opera Cleveland and the Tri-C JazzFest.
— Laura Taxel
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.
