Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - Page updated at 09:13 a.m.

Welcome to our 2012 roundup of warm-weather fun. Find monthly calendars of favorite local events, our critics' "best bets" for summer entertainment and plenty of ideas for Northwest travel and recreation.

Baggage screening costs prompt proposed hike in airline fees

A Senate panel Tuesday approved a $2.50 increase in airline security fees that would double the per-passenger fee for those taking nonstop flights.

Flight diverted over fear of surgically implanted bomb

Do-it-yourself sightseeing tips for cruise ship passengers | Rick Steves' Europe

NEW - 8:19 AM

Statue of Liberty offers free audio tours

The devil is in the details when it comes to travel insurance

UK virtual orchestra puts you in conductor's stand

Alaska Airlines offers self bag-tagging

Motel 6 being sold

United to fly 787 from Denver to Tokyo

NEW - 9:12 AM

Yosemite's Half Dome to reopen with cable access

Disneyland raises price of single-day pass to $87

Theme parks rev up with new rides

Disneyland raises price of single-day pass to $87

1,600 museums offer military families free tickets

Business travel is back, with frugal emphasis

Power down on flights for safety

Outdoors / Recreation

Local news partners

The Signpost Blog

Staff of the Washington Trails Association write about trail conditions, advocacy and volunteerism.

Hiking with my Brother

Ramblings by Seattle-based brothers Nathan and Jeremy Barnes on hiking around the Pacific Northwest.

Gallery: The Reader's Lens

Gallery: Photos of the Year

Send your Northwest photo!

Activity guides

Snow sports

More outdoors and recreation information

Find clubs and organizations

From slow hikes to high wires, San Juan Island has new treats

New players help you plan a Washington vacation

May events calendar

Coming up: Events around the region

Community Corner: Armed Forces Day, Petpalooza

June event calendar

August events calendar

Summer's end calendar

Crystal Mountain remains open with near-record snowfall

Weekend Preview: Norwegian heritage, U District celebrations

Columbia River views, great wildflowers in Hike of the Week

Bird brains teach us a few things about our own brains

Into the wild with a dog at your side

Go fly a kite (and meet other kite fliers) at Point Robinson

Field Notes -- A Seattle Times nature blog

Smallest red wolf pup dies at Tacoma zoo Posted by Sandi Doughton - NEW - 5/17, 05:50 PM

Red wolf pups born at Tacoma zoo will give the public a glimpse of one of the world's rarest mammals Posted by Sandi Doughton - NEW - 5/17, 07:00 AM

Reel Time Fishing Northwest -- A Seattle Times fishing blog

Bridgeport triploid trout derby lures 235 anglers Posted by Mark Yuasa - NEW - 5/22, 03:35 PM

Lake Chelan lake trout and Omak Lake cutthroat are top choices in north central Washington Posted by Mark Yuasa - NEW - 5/22, 12:38 PM

Three Sheets Northwest

News, community and resources for boaters in the Northwest.

Seattle Bike Blog

Pedal-powered news and opinion about bicycling in Seattle.

Travel

Plan your trip

Crossing the border

· Know the border rules

· The right ID for Canada trip

· State Department rules

· Get or renew a passport

TSA rules for carry-ons

· TSA list of prohibited items

More tools

Track flights

Houston museum unveils $85 million dinosaur hall

Driving with the guru from Seattle to New York

Extra seat fees could divide your family on flights

Wondrous drives in the West

Sun is always a draw for German folks at home and abroad | Destinations - A Traveler's Glimpse

My best bets of summer: Paul de Barros

My best bets of summer: Misha Berson

My best bets of summer: Michael Upchurch

July calendar of events

Renting a car can save you money

Delta explains airfare over-pricing for frequent fliers

Cutting the stress at upscale airport hotels

Discounts for travelers, from hotels to cruises and safaris

How to travel 25,000 miles for free

Columnists

Destinations - A Traveler's Glimpse: Kristin Jackson

Kristin Jackson writes about worldwide travel in Destinations. The column runs in Pacific Northwest Magazine on Sundays.

E-mail | Destinations archive

Travel Wise: Carol Pucci

Travel Wise is aimed at helping people travel smart, especially independent travelers seeking good value. Drawing on her own experiences and readers', Carol Pucci covers everything from the best resources to how to tap into the local culture. Her column runs each Sunday in the Travel section.

E-mail | Travel Wise archive

Rick Steves

Rick Steves' Europe

Follow Rick Steves, the Edmonds-based European travel guru, all around Europe. His weekly column runs online each Tuesday in the Travel / Outdoors section.

E-mail | Rick Steves archive

Columnists home