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Travel & Experiences

12 destinations to visit in 2012

A statue of 19th century Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy stands in downtown Santa Fe, across the street from the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum.

This year, New Mexicans mark 100 years of statehood. But much of the state’s appeal stems from its human history that goes back much further. (In 2010, Santa Fe celebrated 400 years of cityhood.) Explore here: the adobe architecture and art galleries of Santa Fe; the vintage signage along old Route 66; the lingering hippie vibe of Truth or Consequences. Don’t forget the Lightning Field, an art installation outside Quemado where (for $150 to $250 a person) you spend a summer night in a wood cabin and wait to see if lightning will strike one of the 400 tall steel poles outside your door. Even if there’s no strike, the sky puts on shows at sunset and sunrise that will leave you in awe.

Pictured: A statue of 19th century Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy in downtown Santa Fe.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

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From historical celebrations to Oregon wines to a diamond jubilee in Britain to Warhol in Arkansas, here are a dozen places to explore and enjoy. Visit destinations in story format.

El Morro National Monument has more than 2,000 inscriptions, carved over seven centuries by overland travelers who stopped here to dull their thirst.

El Morro National Monument has more than 2,000 inscriptions, carved over seven centuries by overland travelers who stopped here to dull their thirst.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

In the far northwest part of the state, Shiprock, an 1,800-foot tall aptly named formation, is visible for miles, sailing the high plains like a volcanic-rock clipper ship. Look, but don't climb. It's sacred Navajo turf.

In the far northwest part of the state, Shiprock, an 1,800-foot tall aptly named formation, is visible for miles, sailing the high plains like a volcanic-rock clipper ship. Look, but don’t climb. It’s sacred Navajo turf.  (Marc F. Henning / Associated Press)

The city is twinkling with improvements and special events these days, in part because of the Summer Olympics July 27-Aug. 12. But there are also the Queen's Diamond Jubilee events (June 2-5), which celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's ascent to the throne 60 years ago. If you can dodge the Olympic dates (and attendant price hikes), great opportunities await -- for instance, a new exhibition of landscapes by David Hockney, Jan. 21-April 9 at the Royal Academy of Art, and a major "Dickens and London" show at the Museum of London through June 10. Why Charles Dickens now? Because the author was born Feb. 7, 1812. Pictured: St. Paul's Cathedral

The city is twinkling with improvements and special events these days, in part because of the Summer Olympics July 27-Aug. 12. But there are also the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee events (June 2-5), which celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s ascent to the throne 60 years ago. If you can dodge the Olympic dates (and attendant price hikes), great opportunities await -- for instance, a new exhibition of landscapes by David Hockney, Jan. 21-April 9 at the Royal Academy of Art, and a major “Dickens and London” show at the Museum of London through June 10. Why Charles Dickens now? Because the author was born Feb. 7, 1812.

Pictured: St. Paul’s Cathedral  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The London Eye gives riders a chance to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Thames from above.

The London Eye gives riders a chance to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Thames from above.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

London's Westminster Abbey, venue for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011, has been a top London tourist attraction for years.

London’s Westminster Abbey, venue for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011, has been a top London tourist attraction for years.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

This is no secret. In 2011, the city drew more than 50 million visitors (including day-trippers from as close as 50 miles away), a record. The museums, shows and shops are as impressive and inspiring as ever, and more than 45 hotels have opened since January 2010. Among them: the Mondrian SoHo; the Sanctuary Hotel (132 W. 47th St.); the Nolitan, north of Little Italy; the Hôtel Americano in Chelsea; the YOTEL New York near Times Square; W New York Downtown in the Financial District; and Andaz Wall Street. In Brooklyn, openings include the boutique Hotel Williamsburg. All these new rooms probably won't put a big dent in the city's hefty lodging rates, which average roughly $250 a night, but they surely won't hurt. Pictured: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This is no secret. In 2011, the city drew more than 50 million visitors (including day-trippers from as close as 50 miles away), a record. The museums, shows and shops are as impressive and inspiring as ever, and more than 45 hotels have opened since January 2010. Among them: the Mondrian SoHo; the Sanctuary Hotel (132 W. 47th St.); the Nolitan, north of Little Italy; the Hôtel Americano in Chelsea; the YOTEL New York near Times Square; W New York Downtown in the Financial District; and Andaz Wall Street. In Brooklyn, openings include the boutique Hotel Williamsburg. All these new rooms probably won’t put a big dent in the city’s hefty lodging rates, which average roughly $250 a night, but they surely won’t hurt.

Pictured: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times)

Tourists flock to Time Square night and day.

Tourists flock to Time Square night and day.  (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times)

The lagoon on the south side of Central Park.

The lagoon on the south side of Central Park.  (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times)

Visitors to Three Tables, at Pupukea Beach Park on Oahu's North Shore, enjoy the relative solitude away from the tourist throngs at Waikiki Beach. Oahu offers plenty of getaway spots for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing.

Visitors to Three Tables, at Pupukea Beach Park on Oahu’s North Shore, enjoy the relative solitude away from the tourist throngs at Waikiki Beach. Oahu offers plenty of getaway spots for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing.  (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

The First Friday street fair in Chinatown lures crowds to see the many art galleries that stay open late for the event. Street musicians perform as visitors poke into shops and restaurants.

The First Friday street fair in Chinatown lures crowds to see the many art galleries that stay open late for the event. Street musicians perform as visitors poke into shops and restaurants.  (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

There are seven ski resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport, and the largest ski area, Park City, keeps improving, with the December 2010 opening of the luxurious Montage Deer Valley. At Park City's Canyons resort, recent additions include heated chairlift seats and a kosher restaurant. Down in Salt Lake City on March 22, local leaders will unveil City Creek Center, a 20-acre shopping, office and residential project with a retractable roof designed to revitalize the area around downtown's Temple Square. Pictured: This Is the Place Heritage Park

There are seven ski resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport, and the largest ski area, Park City, keeps improving, with the December 2010 opening of the luxurious Montage Deer Valley. At Park City’s Canyons resort, recent additions include heated chairlift seats and a kosher restaurant. Down in Salt Lake City on March 22, local leaders will unveil City Creek Center, a 20-acre shopping, office and residential project with a retractable roof designed to revitalize the area around downtown’s Temple Square.

Pictured: This Is the Place Heritage Park  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The word is out about this city's indie spirit, flowing beer and coffee, rampant bicyclists and myriad food trucks. Most readers know of the wonderland called Powell's, the bricks-and-mortar-and-bandwidth bookshop empire based here. Outsiders are learning to cross the Willamette River into east-side neighborhoods such as Hawthorne (home to Reed College), Belmont and Sellwood/Westmoreland, which bristle with vital restaurants, bars and shops. Meanwhile, the wine industry grows in the nearby Willamette Valley. If you drive 45 minutes from Portland, you can see for yourself, then flop at the Allison Inn & Spa (in Newberg, a boutique lodging that opened in 2009). Pictured: Downtown Portland

The word is out about this city’s indie spirit, flowing beer and coffee, rampant bicyclists and myriad food trucks. Most readers know of the wonderland called Powell’s, the bricks-and-mortar-and-bandwidth bookshop empire based here. Outsiders are learning to cross the Willamette River into east-side neighborhoods such as Hawthorne (home to Reed College), Belmont and Sellwood/Westmoreland, which bristle with vital restaurants, bars and shops. Meanwhile, the wine industry grows in the nearby Willamette Valley. If you drive 45 minutes from Portland, you can see for yourself, then flop at the Allison Inn & Spa (in Newberg, a boutique lodging that opened in 2009).

Pictured: Downtown Portland  (Christopher Reynolds / LAT)

Pinot Noir grapes arrived in Willamette Valley more than 40 years ago and have flourished ever since. What was once a haven for hazelnut growers and turkey farmers is now known as the "Pinot Ghetto."

Pinot Noir grapes arrived in Willamette Valley more than 40 years ago and have flourished ever since. What was once a haven for hazelnut growers and turkey farmers is now known as the “Pinot Ghetto.”  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The country, which likes to call itself "home of Middle-earth," has another bout of Tolkien movie madness coming up. In 2001, the first "Lord of the Rings" film -- and the Kiwi landscape's featured role in it -- prompted a boom in travel to the land of sheep, lakes and bungee jumps. Now (well, in December) comes "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," with a prominent role for Matamata (a North Island town about two hours south of Auckland) as stand-in for Hobbiton. Naturally, the New Zealand tourism folks stand ready with plenty of info on shooting locations. Vayama, a web travel agency, counts the country among its 12 "most sought-after" 2012 destinations. Pictured: Auckland

The country, which likes to call itself “home of Middle-earth,” has another bout of Tolkien movie madness coming up. In 2001, the first “Lord of the Rings” film -- and the Kiwi landscape’s featured role in it -- prompted a boom in travel to the land of sheep, lakes and bungee jumps. Now (well, in December) comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” with a prominent role for Matamata (a North Island town about two hours south of Auckland) as stand-in for Hobbiton. Naturally, the New Zealand tourism folks stand ready with plenty of info on shooting locations. Vayama, a web travel agency, counts the country among its 12 “most sought-after” 2012 destinations.

Pictured: Auckland  (Rosemary McClure / For The Times)

Bungee jumps off the Sky Tower offer a high-octane adrenaline rush. The fall: 630 feet; the speed: nearly 60 mph.

Bungee jumps off the Sky Tower offer a high-octane adrenaline rush. The fall: 630 feet; the speed: nearly 60 mph.  (Rosemary McClure / For The Times)

Washington is great in an election year -- in every monument, museum and government agency, you feel a part of breaking news. You could go to the St. Petersburg-Tampa area of Florida (where the Republicans will hold their convention Aug. 27-30) or Charlotte, N.C. (where Democrats will gather Sept. 3-7). But why not head instead to where we're all supposed to come together? The city's recent additions include the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in West Potomac Park, dedicated in October. Besides this year's campaign hoopla, you can listen for echoes of the Civil War, which was in its early months 150 years ago. Sesquicentennial commemorations are happening throughout Virginia. If you head south from D.C. on Interstate 95, in two hours you'll reach the old Confederate capital, Richmond, Va. Travelers can check out the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar; the neighboring Richmond National Battlefield Park and the Museum of the Confederacy, which includes the mansion where Confederate President Jefferson Davis lived from 1861 until shortly before war's end in 1865. Pictured: The Lincoln Memorial

Washington is great in an election year -- in every monument, museum and government agency, you feel a part of breaking news. You could go to the St. Petersburg-Tampa area of Florida (where the Republicans will hold their convention Aug. 27-30) or Charlotte, N.C. (where Democrats will gather Sept. 3-7). But why not head instead to where we’re all supposed to come together? The city’s recent additions include the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in West Potomac Park, dedicated in October. Besides this year’s campaign hoopla, you can listen for echoes of the Civil War, which was in its early months 150 years ago. Sesquicentennial commemorations are happening throughout Virginia. If you head south from D.C. on Interstate 95, in two hours you’ll reach the old Confederate capital, Richmond, Va. Travelers can check out the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar; the neighboring Richmond National Battlefield Park and the Museum of the Confederacy, which includes the mansion where Confederate President Jefferson Davis lived from 1861 until shortly before war’s end in 1865.

Pictured: The Lincoln Memorial  (Chris Wright / For The Times)

Newseum Washington, D.C.

The first public viewing of the “News History” section of the Newseum showcased a splashy, bright exhibit of journalism through the years.  (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

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