news . style . tips . trends

Free museums: Bank on it

More than 75 million Bank of America customers can get into dozens of museums free of charge, thanks to a newly expanded “Museums on Us” program. Here’s the deal: If you hold a Bank of America check card, credit card or ATM card, you can enter more than 70 museums across the U.S. for free during the first weekend of every month. In California, the De Young Museum in San Francisco and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art are among 17 sites in the program. For a full list, visit www.bankofamerica .com/museums. Meanwhile, New York City is gearing up for its 30th annual Museum Mile Festival on June 3, when the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and eight other cultural institutions will fling open their doors for free from 6 to 9 p.m. For details, visit www.museummilefestival.org.

-- Jane Engle

Multi-tasker

The SeatKase isn’t just luggage; it’s more like mobile furniture. The carry-on is strong enough to be used as a stool while waiting for your flight or taxi. Springs in the wheels lock to prevent slippage while you’re sitting. (Note that, for safety, your heels should rest on the wheels’ side.) Even better in our tests was the flip-up laptop table that turns your suitcase into a portable computer station. Slip-sleeve pockets to hold your boarding pass or newspaper make this little suitcase even more functional. A good value at $99, plus $15 for shipping. Info: (888) 437-7339, www.seatkase.com.

-- Chris Erskine

Southern comfort

The newly opened Mansion on Peachtree, a Rosewood Hotel & Residence, is touting itself as the most luxurious hotel in the South. There’s no doubt the Atlanta property, which opened Thursday, is pouring it on. You’ll get a glass of Champagne on arrival plus butler service once you’re checked in. You can bring out your inner belle with a soothing bath featuring rose petals and candles. The 127-room hotel isn’t in a Victorian mansion, but rather a tower in the city’s affluent Buckhead neighborhood. But the design -- detailed millwork, grand staircases, plush velvet -- aims to bring to mind refined Southern opulence. Standard rate $495 per night. Info: (888) 767-3966, www.rosewoodhotels.com.

-- C.E.

Yellowstone safari

Journey into the heart of America’s Serengeti -- Yellowstone National Park -- on a Wolf Weekend Safari that scouts out grizzlies, black bears, gray wolves, bison, elk and other wildlife. The three-night tour, available May 22 to 25, May 29 to June 1, Oct. 16 to 19 and Oct. 23 to 26, includes accommodations at Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyo., transportation, meals and a tour by a naturalist guide. Participants spend two days visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton national park sites and wildlife areas. One night is spent in Cook City, just outside Yellowstone’s boundaries. Cost: $1,350 per person, double occupancy, or $1,550 for singles. Info: (800) 443-6139, www.springcreekranch.com.

-- Rosemary McClure

Critter finder

Free. It’s the favorite word for anyone on a budget. And who isn’t? If the Central California Coast is your destination this summer, the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council is offering a free birding and wildlife viewing kit that gives you the info you need to spot birds, whales, butterflies, seals and otters, among other critters. The 48-page guide includes photographs and maps to local wildlife hot spots. Order it by calling (831) 427-4405 or going to www.santacruz.org. Or you can pick it up at the visitors center at 1211 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. (Pictured: an adult white-crowned sparrow.)

-- Hugo Martin