A savory event in Newport
Sample hundreds of wines from around the world and cuisine from nearly two dozen local restaurants and caterers during the Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival, Sept. 20-23, in Rhode Island. The event features fashion designer and cookbook author Zac Posen, who headlines the Grand Tasting on the Marble House lawn on Sept. 22 and 23. Local and regional favorites will also participate in weekend cooking and grilling demonstrations, including Lydia Shire of Scampo in Boston, Terence Feury of Forty 1˚ North in Newport, and Maura Kilpatrick of Sofra Bakery in Cambridge. Other highlights include the Friday night Wine and Rosecliff gala, which features a selection of fine wines and food from at least 15 New England chefs, and the Vintner Dinner at Rosecliff on Saturday, which offers a three-course dinner and dessert reception prepared by chefs David Blessing of Newport Beach House, Tony Maws of Craigie on Main, Jose Enrique of Jose Enrique, Samantha del Arroyo of Mill’s Tavern, and Maura Fitzpatrick of Sofra Bakery. Prices range from $75 (late-night drinks, bites, dancing) to $750 (a five-course dinner with wine pairings). 401-847-1000, www.newportmansionswineandfood.org.
Portland, Maine’s new clam shack
Don’t worry if you miss Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine, as you make your way north. The iconic clam shack has expanded for the first time in more than 60 years and opened a second location in Portland, conveniently situated on the corner of Cumberland and Washington avenues at the base of Munjoy Hill. Grab an order of clams, a lobster roll, or clam chowder then sit in the modern dining room or on the street-side patio (think beer garden vibe with picnic tables, string lighting, and original abstract mural by local artist Maia Snow). Bob’s Portland also has new menu items, including seafood tacos topped with taco slaw, smoked paprika aioli, and pickled onions, a fried lobster tail basket, and a selection of Portland-area craft beers. 207-536-7608, www.bobsclamhut.com.
South Carolina resort
caters to kids
Stay at the Wild Dunes resort in Charleston and your kids can enjoy the new Dune Bug Clubs, which offer activities ranging from marine biology and beach olympics to a real treasure hunt. Children can also learn the art of indigo dyeing and make a shirt of their own, dig for artifacts, and hear traditional Gullah stories and legends. The Mad Scientist program lets kids experiment with nearly a dozen wacky science projects, go kayaking, or explore the low-country marsh on a four-hour boat ride. Sorry, parents, you’ll have to find your own adventures — the Dune Bug Clubs are only open to 3- to 12-year-olds. For family fun, the resort hosts two arts and crafts nights, and three movie and game nights each week with cornhole, Ping-Pong, bingo, and a giant Jenga before movies under the stars. Lodging: $99 per night on select dates through Labor Day; approximately $200 per night thereafter. 843-886-2218, www.wilddunesresort.com.
Wander across Whistler’s
new skybridge
Pack your courage and head up the Peak Chair to the top of British Columbia’s Whistler Mountain, where you can walk along the new 426-foot-long Cloudraker Skybridge. This steel cantilevered walkway extends from Whistler Peak over to the West Ridge, crossing over snowy Whistler Bowl and offering stunning views of the village and area’s lakes thousands of feet below, and of the glacier-dotted Coast Mountains. Since the bridge has a steel grid deck, you can see right past your feet to the ground below. The walkway extends nearly 40 feet out from the West Ridge and will be open year-round, so you may see skiers and snowboarders dropping in beneath you come wintertime. The bridge leads to the Raven’s Eye Cliff Walk, a platform with 360-degree mountain views. Down-lift on the chair, or ski or hike back down to the gondola or village. Walking across the skybridge is free; access is included in the Peak 2 Peak sightseeing ticket, $24.50 (child) to $48.30 (adult). www.whistlerblackcomb.com.
Bring poles on your next adventure
Whether you’re going on a hiking holiday or just want extra support for beach walks or touring hilly destinations, pack Leki’s latest super-lightweight hiking poles with you. The Micro Vario Carbon DSS poles weigh just 8.5 ounces per pole and fold down so you can easily pack them in your suitcase. They have an internal cord running through the poles, enabling you to quickly set them up — just attach the three shaft sections, pull the handle up and the cord locks the poles in place (to release, just push a button and the poles unlock and are ready to be folded up and packed away). The poles have a SpeedLock 2 quick-release tab that lets you lengthen them easily and Leki’s Dynamic Suspension System for reducing vibration and dampening pole shock. The foam grip handles provide plenty of comfort for full days of exploration. The poles come with a bag for easy storage in your backpack or suitcase. $219.95. 800-255-9982, www.leki.com.
KARI BODNARCHUK
