Games on a plane
When you run a small carrier with a tiny marketing budget, you have to be creative to get publicity. That explains why Allegiant Air has allowed a TV crew to film an in-flight game show. "The Game Plane," hosted by Mark Walberg of PBS' "Antiques Roadshow," includes trivia contests and onboard games of skills, with cash prizes and vacations awarded between takeoffs and landings.
Los Angeles Times
'Rocky' photo for real
Some tourists who ran up the "Rocky" steps got a knockout photo at the top — a selfie with Rocky himself. Peter Rowe said he and two friends had just finished racing up the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art last weekend when they saw Sylvester Stallone. "He said to us, 'Man, you guys are fast. You're making me look bad!'" Associated Press
Deal of the week
When romance hits a long weekend
Valentine's-themed getaways are all about romance; Presidents' Day weekend tends to be more straightforward. But this year the holidays fall on the same weekend, and hotels around the country are offering packages that celebrate both occasions. The Park Hyatt New York, for example, has "I Love You X 57," which includes suite accommodations, seats at Carnegie Hall for a Valentine's Day performance, a couples massage, a dinner at its restaurant and a personalized dessert class (from $2,500 for a night). For more affordable romance, the Maple Knoll Inn B&B in Rush City, Minn., is offering a Valentine's package, too. The deal includes lodging Feb. 13 or 14, breakfast for two, chocolates, and in-room sparkling beverage in vintage Champagne glasses to take home. Rates are $129 plus tax; info at mapleknollinn.com or 1-320-358-6280. If your sweetie likes city life, head to Madison, where it's hotel week Feb. 13-23, with rooms at 16 area properties discounted to $75 or $100 per night. More info: www.visitmadison.com. New York Times, Catherine Preus
On the web
Hip things to do in five cities (so far)
Sosh — City Guide, available for free on iOS, is as if your coolest cousin told you the hippest things to do in her city. Sosh acts as a city guide to fun things to do and see (you choose your interests and neighborhood preferences) curated by real people gathering info from local weekly magazines, newspapers and niche websites such as Thrillist, Eater, Zagat, 7x7 and New York magazine. It's available for Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. The app suggests harder-to-find activities such as eat at a pop-up restaurant or shop at a sample sale. It asks you upfront if you're living in one of its destinations, but you can lie to get past this velvet rope and start exploring. Los Angeles Times
Hotel check-in
Easy access to the lake, the Magnificent Mile
The 247-room Thompson Chicago has a Gold Coast address with the casual opulence and views — of both city and lake — to match. The interior, by the British designer Tara Bernerd, makes ample use of velvet, polished leather and dark wood, while occasionally veering toward overused trends like colorful graffiti-style murals in the gym. The hotel lobby bar, Salone Nico, feels like one of the city's most stylish after-work spots. About a block from Lake Shore Drive, the Thompson is within easy walking distance of the lakefront at Oak Street Beach, as well as the Magnificent Mile shopping stretch. Rates from $279; more info at www.thompsonhotels.com or 1-312-266-2100.
New York Times
