Here & There | Falcons fly at Hotel Hershey | Charlotte Observer

Pennsylvania

Falcons fly at Hotel Hershey

A falconry program has opened at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey.

The program educates participants about the birds and the sport's history and includes outdoor free-flight demonstrations, a demonstration of the bird's hunting techniques and a chance for a photo with a bird.

The program is available weekends in September and October. The cost – $85; $70 for ages 8-12 – includes admission to nearby ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, which, like the Hotel Hershey, is part of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts properties.

Participants must be at least 8, and you don't have to be staying at the hotel to take part. Details: www.thehotelhershey.com. To reserve a spot in the falconry program: 717-534-3900.

Wisconsin

Ready to fox trot this fall?

The beat goes on nearly all weekend when Osthoff Resort – in Elkhart Lake, between Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wis., about a three-hour drive from Chicago – rolls up the rugs Oct. 24-26 for its annual “Harvest Moon Ball” getaway. That weekend, the dance floor beckons Friday night with a reception and the tunes of the Howard Schneider Big Band. Saturday hoofer wannabes can polish their steps at beginning and intermediate dance lessons, then attend a gala dinner and dance with the Bob Kuether Band. A hearty Sunday buffet breakfast serves as the coda to this musical retreat.

Prices start at $499 per couple for the weekend package, including Friday-Saturday suite accommodations. Tax/tips are additional. Details: 800-876-3399; www.osthoff.com.

New Hampshire

More space than ever for kids

A new space for a New Hampshire children's museum includes old favorites as well as new attractions in a building that is fully accessible for children who use wheelchairs or have other mobility issues.

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire opened in July in Dover – in a 20,000-square-foot building on the Cocheco River surrounded by a park.

The museum outgrew its original location in Portsmouth, but it still has a popular exhibit from the original site, the Yellow Submarine, designed to replicate the experience of a deep-sea dive. Other features include a play space for babies and toddlers, an area where kids can dig for fossils, a display about the ecosystem of the river, and “Build It, Fly It,” about aerodynamics. Details: www.childrens-museum.org.

Colorado

It's an archaeological gold mine

Mesa Verde National Park, in southwestern Colorado, is home to 4,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. The natural and manmade wonders of the park, a World Heritage Site, are the subject of an “Out & About in Mesa Verde Package” that provides two nights' accommodations at the aptly named Far View Lodge and two dinners for two, for $699 per couple.

Also included are daily buffet breakfast, a bottle of wine and a private tour of Mesa Verde's ancient sites, as well as the regularly scheduled ranger-led “Cliff Palace” walking tour. Additional costs: transportation to Mesa Verde, park entrance fee, gratuities and energy surcharges. The “Out & About” package is valid through Oct. 20. Details: 888-896-3831; www.visitmesa verde.com.