FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

STAY Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, located on the banks of the Chena River, features an extraordinary collection of wildlife art. From $100.* www.pikeslodge.com.

EAT Café Alex Wine Bar dishes up artful tapas, such as macadamia-crusted halibut, and presents jazz and bluegrass on weekend nights. (907) 452-2539.

PLAY Tickets to the symphony are $25 (you’ll pay over $50 in New York), and seniors and kids get discounts. (907) 474-5733, www.fairbankssymphony.org.

P.S. Catch nature’s splashiest art show, the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The Geophysical Institute offers forecasts: www.gedds.alaska.edu/auroraforecast.

PORTLAND, ORE.

STAY Works by Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer David Hume Kennerly fill the Hotel Lucia. From $159.* (503) 225-1717.

EAT In the Pearl District, known for its art galleries, try lunch at Park Kitchen; the three-course tasting menu is just $25. (503) 223-7275, www.parkkitchen.com.

PLAY Check out the city’s best cultural attractions, such as the Portland Art Museum and its vast Asian collection, with the Attraction Pass. $25. (877) 678-5263.

STAY The Inn at the Opera was built in 1927 as lodging for stars performing at the opera house and symphony hall. From $139.* www.innattheoperahotel.com.

EAT Break from browsing the Asian Art Museum’s 16,000 pieces and try spicy Korean pork (photo above, $8.50) at its Cafe Asia. (415) 581-3630, www.asianart.org.

PLAY Standing-room tickets for the opera ($10) and ballet ($18) are up for grabs on performance days; the symphony's Wednesday morning rehearsals are $19.

P.S. Museum-hop on the first Tuesday of every month and get in free at the Museum of Modern Art, de Young, Legion of Honor, and Asian Art Museum.

STAY With 350 paintings and photographs hanging on its walls, the Hotel Max is an art gallery inside a boutique hotel. From $179.* www.hotelmaxseattle.com.

EAT Culinary students at the Art Institute run the Portfolio Restaurant. Entrées, such as hanger steak, are under $15. Call ahead. (206) 239-2363, www.ais.edu.

PLAY For half-price, day-of-show theater seats, stop by one of four Ticket/Ticket box office locations. (206) 325-6500, www.ticketwindowonline.com.

P.S. Among the fish and produce stalls at Pike Place Market, you’ll find nine art galleries displaying local art. (206) 682-7453, www.pikeplacemarket.com.

*Ask about the discount for AAA members.