By Laurie Isola

▪ San Francisco’s Dine About Town is rich in taste but light on the wallet. In January, 100 restaurants—including the Terrace at the Ritz-Carlton and Le Colonial—will offer three-course dinners for $32. www.sfdineabouttown.com.

▪ Where can you catch the best view in Portland? On the aerial tram as it soars over downtown and offers sweeping views of Mount Hood. Opening in January. www.portlandtram.org.

▪ A landmark since 1910, the US Grant hotel in San Diego reopens its doors after a $52 million renovation. AAA discounts available. (866) 837-4270.

▪ The updated audio tour of San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island features suspenseful tales of escape attempts and frighteningly realistic sounds of slamming cell doors and popping gunfire. (415) 981-7625.

▪ At the summit of 11,053-foot Mammoth Mountain, the new Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center looks at the geology of the Sierra Nevada. Three hours south of Reno. (800) 626-6684.

▪ You can relive the journey taken by Captain William Clark and Sacagawea down the Yellowstone River Valley at the new Pompeys Pillar Interpretive Center. In 1806, Clark etched his name (it’s still visible) on the 150-foot-tall sandstone butte 25 miles east of Billings, Mont. (406) 875-2400, www.pompeyspillar.org.

▪ The 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships are gliding into Spokane, Wash., January 21 to 28. Tickets for individual sessions are still available. (866) 872-2007, www.spokane2007.com.

▪ The chill factor at the planet’s south end is captured in Wondrous Cold: An Antarctic Journey, a Smithsonian traveling collection of 50 poster-size photographs on display at the Teton County Library in Jackson, Wyo., through March 2. (307) 733-2164.

▪ Dine Out Vancouver, B.C., is rich in taste but light on the wallet. From January 19 to February 4, over 150 top restaurants—including West, Sanafir, and FigMint—will offer three-course menus at fixed prices of $15, $25, and $35. (604) 683-2000, www.tourismvancouver.com.

▪ Throughout January, stay three nights at the Silver Mountain Resort ski lodge in Kellogg, Idaho, and you’ll receive the fourth night free. (877) 230-2193, www.silvermt.com.

▪ The ocelot kitten at the Oregon Zoo in Portland will make his public debut in January. (503) 226-1561, www.oregonzoo.org.