Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel

Topical screenings, special events and interactive displays draw diverse audiences who care about the past, and those simply interested in becoming more culturally "in the know." A chronological tour for groups takes visitors from exhibit to exhibit, through the rise and fall of the Third Reich and the liberation of the Jews. Using archival materials, multimedia and dramatic installations, the museum makes the Holocaust experience intensely personal. Galleries are filled with advanced technology, hands-on computer stations, interactive displays, films and video. One wall-sized, digital map documents 250 current hate groups in the United States. Another deals with civil rights struggles in the past century. The "Point of View Diner" exhibit addresses personal responsibility, re-creating a 1950's diner with a menu of controversial topics on the jukebox. After visitors select a topic, they input their opinions and have them instantly tabulated.

In operation since 1917, more than 50 food stalls offer fresh produce, seafood, spices, meat, deli items and fast food representing the city's cultural diversity.

The "shortest railway in the world" connects the Fourth, Hill Street and Pershing Square Metro Red Line stations to the Watercourt at California Plaza. A once-popular downtown landmark constructed in 1901, Angel's Flight was a tiny, open-car cable railway, or funicular, that transported passengers up the steep eastern slope of Bunker Hill, from Hill Street (in the business sector) to Olive Street (then a neighborhood of Victorian homes). Residents agreed to see it torn down in 1969, with the promise that the pieces would be stored and someday reassembled. They got their wish in 1996, as the world's shortest railroad reopened and began offering rides for 25¢.

Located in Anaheim, Downtown Disney provides a fun, adult-friendly alternative to mouse ears and high-octane rides with its bustling nightlife and restaurant scenes. Spanning more than 20 acres, this area in between the Disney resort hotels and the theme park gates bustles daily and nightly. Guests browse through its myriad shops, stop off for cocktails, brews, or tunes at ESPN Zone and the House of Blues, dine at unique restaurants, and dance the night away at trendy discos. Those wanting to "take it easy" should check into catching a flick at the 12-screen AMC movie theater.

Housed in a renovated 1923 railroad station, the museum's visitors are typically locals who have found a great way to get the kids away from the tube. Remember when you were little and going to the grocery store with Mom was the end-all-be-all? Well, the kids are in control here with a pint-sized, well-stocked market where they can play checkout. Expect an endless day of dressing up, playing house and acting grown-up. Let them get down and dirty in the Dino Dig, a sandbox filled with soil and a few hidden bones. Got a little drama king or queen? The kid-friendly theater offers props and costumes. Or make your way through the Nature Walk, an indoor taxidermy room filled with lions and bears, though you may not want to tell the tykes that these wilderness kings were once alive and walking.

Life-like figures of Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson and Madonna. Celebrated political leaders and sports greats are also in the 220-figure collection.

Hikes take place throughout the week at more than 80 sites in L.A. and Ventura counties. The hikers include infants in Snuglis, toddlers in Gracos and rambunctious 8-year-olds (accompanied by mom or dad, of course). Expect lots of singing and excited squeals when animal tracks are spotted in the mud. Call it intervention: Before the kids become addicted to electronic gadgets, introduce them to some natural wonders with the help of this non-profit organization. Two-hour, "kid-safe" Family Nature Walks will take you through some of the most beautiful settings in the city, including Griffith Park, Solstice Canyon and Temescal Gateway Park. All hikes are easy, as not to wear out little legs, and some trails are even stroller-friendly. Along the way, cheery volunteers will point out animal burrows, teach birdcalls and lecture on the differences between non-toxic and poisonous plants, among other activities.

Believe it or not, this amazing and silly "museum" is still open. Its bizarre collection of wax figures, photos, and models depicts unnatural oddities from Robert Leroy Ripley's infamous arsenal. Our favorites include the skeleton of a two-headed baby, a statue of Marilyn Monroe sculpted with shredded money, and a portrait of John Wayne made from laundry lint.