Direct Flight

Q: I recently took a trip where I was dangerously close to being overweight with both my checked bags. With this in mind, I weighed both my bags with a certified scale before leaving the house and found that each bag weighed less than 40 pounds. At the check-in counter, however, my first bag weighed in at 57 pounds on the airline scales, the other at 42. I switched some things around to keep both...

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Big changes are in store for gamblers and hotel guests at the Tropicana Casino and Resort as the establishment starts a $25 million renovation project.

The undertaking is the first of what could be four or five years of work to re-do the casino resort, which opened in 1981.

Tropicana president Tony Rodio told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the casino's...

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. --  Plans have been announced in Atlantic City for a new resort complex that will include a 31-story hotel and a year-round water park.

Developer Tom Sherwood said Wednesday he hopes to have the $123 million project completed within two years. It will be built in the Marina District.

The Press of Atlantic City says the developers originally planned to build a...

To those who say, “living in New York is so expensive,“ they just aren't looking in the right places. Ignore the high rents and go forth: Our options multiply like bunny rabbits as the weather improves.

Families

Here's the tagline, and we agree: Moms rock! Celebrate — for free — all-things mom at the 9th annual Mamapalooza at Riverside Park South (enter at West 68 Street at the Hudson...

Sunshine, barbecues and the sweet smell of summer's impending arrival -- there may be no three days of the year more full of promise than Memorial Day weekend.

While some can't see spending the holiday anywhere but in their own backyards, many will be taking advantage of the extra day off from work and fleeing town for a mini-getaway.

And because it's just plain un-American to celebrate...

Some days, I honestly don't know what I would do without my Garmin GPS -- with, importantly, traffic alert. Yes, my sense of direction is on par with that of a small kitten's, but, living in New York, traffic is just part of the landscape. Whatever I can do to improve the odds, to have that proverbial Ace of Spades in my pocket, I shall.

Helping stack the deck is a free navigation app called...

LONDON -- Officials say a new park on the site of the 2012 London Olympics won't fully open to the public until a year and a half after the games.

Olympic authorities have announced plans for the 560 acre site, which will be dubbed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The park, including a lush river valley, biking trails and a tree-lined promenade, will open in stages.

On Friday,...

This week's best travel bargains around the globe:

Take a last-minute trip to Santa Fe, N.M., and get 65 percent savings at the Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa. For May, a two-bedroom villa is $339 (plus $67 taxes and resort fee); usual rate is $969. The promo also includes a $100 daily resort credit and a bottle of wine and chocolate-covered strawberries at check-in. Info: 800-732-2240,...

Just walking through Grand Central Station can be an event in itself; find a bench and the people-watching is entertainment enough. Making things even more exciting there this weekend is the 5th annual National Train Day. One word comes to mind: Yipee! It's among our picks for great freebies in the city this weekend.

Arts & crafts

DIY crafters, get ready to be more wound up than...

The deal: The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is offering the "Winecation Package."

Cost: Starting at $499 per night for two people.

What's included: Overnight stay in a newly renovated Classic Room at Borgata or a Club Room at The Water Club; three-course prix-fixe wine dinner for two; one vinotherapy spa treatment (choice of a facial or body treatment, both include a wine...