Getting the flavor of...

Ted Turner’s playground

At Ted Turner’s northern New Mexico ranch, “it is easy to feel like a 5-year-old who is filled with awe,” said Judith Fein in The Dallas Morning News. At 593,000 acres, Vermejo Park Ranch (vermejo-park-ranch.com) is thought to be the largest privately owned parcel of land in the U.S., and for four years, it has been open to visitors interested in viewing its teeming wildlife and rich cultural history. From the main lodge, guides lead varied tours. One day, you might walk among ancient native pit houses and the remains of an abandoned frontier settlement. Another day, you might carry your picnic lunch into the mountains to learn about five distinctive ecosystems. Everywhere, the wildlife astonishes. “Imagine this: As you drive along, a black bear sits 10 feet from your car,” munching on insects. Or you suddenly happen upon a herd of cow elk just as your guide hands you a scope to glimpse a group of baby bald eagles in their nest, their papa perched nearby.

The Simpsons in Orlando

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The new Springfield attraction at Universal Studios Florida offers something for Simpsons fans of all ages, said Sarah Sekula in USA Today. In the open-air seating outside Duff Brewery, the over-21 set can relax with a Duff Lite or a classic Duff lager while their kids strap in for a spin on the nearby Twirl ’n’ Hurl. Step into Moe’s Tavern, and the whole cartoon-colored setting “looks just like it does on TV.” Every time the red rotary phone on the bar rings, the guest who picks it up hears a prank call courtesy of Bart Simpson. “Even the food court area has fans smiling,” thanks to belly busters like the Krusty Burger and Meat Liker’s Pizza. In short, this ersatz Springfield is “a place to momentarily toss your cares aside and act a bit silly.” Sure, it’s a bit expensive—$7.95 for a Duff draft; $13 for a Clogger Burger—“but what theme park isn’t?”