Celebrate dog days of summer in Miami

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Aug 10, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Miami Seaquarium is presenting “The Dog Days of Summer,” a special promotion that’s bound to appeal to pet lovers.

From now to Labor Day, Sept. 1, people are invited to visit and receive a $7.50 discount off the price of admission. In addition, the attraction will donate $1 for each admission to the Humane Society of Greater Miami. Coupons for the discount are available at participating Petco Stores in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. They are valid for up to six people per coupon.

The Miami Seaquarium is one of south Florida’s most popular attractions. The 38-acre attraction offers a safe environment for endangered sea turtles and manatees. Major presentations include the Shark Channel, a tropical reef where visitors watch a diver hand-feed reef fish, and a large Sea Lion Exhibit. There are also displays of tropical and Florida birds, crocodiles and more.

The Dolphin Encounter is a shallow-water program allowing young and old alike to wade into the water for a close-up experience with a dolphin. People have a chance to touch, feed and play with a dolphin. The Dolphin Odyssey program allows swimmers to move into deep water for additional dolphin interaction where they have a chance to get a dolphin ride across the pool. Participants in the program must be 52 inches tall or taller.

For more information, contact http://www.miamiseaquarium.com or call (305) 365-2501.

Fun at the Woodlands
Woodlands Resort, 30 minutes north of Houston, is offering a Fun Package starting at $149 per night and includes breakfast for two in the Woodlands Dining Room.

Summer activities, designed to keep the kids busy, include dive-in movies and build-your-own s’mores at dusk. At the Forest Oasis Waterscape, they can zip down the two-story, double-helix water slide, enjoy underwater music and take part in an underwater scavenger hunt.

Adults will enjoy the resort’s 36-hole on-site championship golf course and the spa and fitness center.

Guests staying at the resort Sunday through Thursday are eligible for a $25 gas card valid through Aug. 28. For information, contact http://www.woodlandsresort.com or (866) 361-5674.

Grapevine’s big fest
Grapevine, Texas, was named for the wild Mustang grapes that covered the area when settlers first arrived in 1844.

Today, the town’s annual GrapeFest celebrates the grape in a big way. Scheduled Sept. 11-14, the event features a multitude of events.

On any day, people can go to the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, featuring some of Texas’ best wines. The International Wine Garden focuses on wines from around the world, and there’s live music on stages throughout downtown.

Vie for the Purple Foot Award at the Grape Stomping Competition or compete in the GrapeFest Tennis Classic. Enjoy cooking demonstrations and visit with cookbook authors at the Culinary Pavilion.