What's New in the West: July 2007

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http://viamagazine.com/top_stories/articles/whatsnew_inwest_july07.asp

July/August 2007 [1]

By:

Laurie Isola [2]

Starting July 1, visitors to Montana's Glacier National Park can ditch their cars at the Apgar Transit Center, located 1.5 miles from the west entrance, and hop a shuttle. The buses make 16 stops, mainly along the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road. (406) 888-7895, www.nps.gov/glac [3].
After a nine-year closure, Disneyland's submarine ride reopened June 11 with a new cast of characters: Nemo, Crush, Marlin, Dory, and others of Finding Nemo fame. (714) 781-4565, www.disneyland.com [4].
You can now travel easily from Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park headquarters to Juneau with new ferry service on the Fairweather Express II. Three hours one way, $70. (888) 229-8687, www.visitglacierbay.com [5].
Now drive Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks with Gaper Guide, a GPS unit that sits on your dash and describes 750 sites via your car's stereo. Colter, a moose, narrates, while scientist "friends" pipe up on Old Faithful, Jenny Lake, and more. (307) 733-4626, www.gaperguide.com [6].
Unfold the updated Guide to Willamette Valley Wineries to find wineries, lodging, and activities around Oregon wine country. (503) 646-2985, www.willamettewines.com [7].
What's the hippest spot in San Francisco? This summer it will likely be the Hotel Tomo in Japantown. There you'll find blown-up stills of Japanese animation on walls, flat-screen TVs in every room, and a game lounge where guests can pull up a beanbag for PlayStation action. From $135. (800) 738-7477, www.jdvhospitality.com [8].
Las Vegas is now home to Red Rock Lanes, the most expensive bowling center ever built in the United States, with a striking 72 lanes. Starts at $3 per game. (702) 797-7467, www.redrocklasvegas.com [9].
More space means more art at the Seattle Art Museum, which opened a new wing in May with exhibits of modern art, classical European works, and traditional African pieces. (206) 654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org [10].
Unfold the updated Sonoma County Farm Trails Map & Guide to find over 100 farms and shops where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and cheeses. (800) 207-9464, www.farmtrails.org [11].

This article was first published in July 2007. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.