NYC: the hottest town for doing the coolest things

Hot town summer in the city The Lovin' Spoonful

Yes, New York can be a tad warm in summer, but, culturally speaking, it will always be one of the world's coolest cities. Here are some of the latest offers:

A decent hotel room in the city starting at $100 or so is still possible, although rates may be higher depending on date and room choice. The Apple Core Hotels group, for instance, consists of five reasonably priced properties: La Quinta Inn Manhattan (17 West 32d St.), Red Roof Inn Manhattan (6 West 32d St.), the smoke-free Comfort Inn Midtown (129 West 46th St.), Super 8 Hotel Times Square (59 West 46th St.), and the Ramada Inn East Side (161 Lexington Ave.).

Call 800-567-7720 or visit www.applecorehotels.com.

If you have an American Express card, a NYC Summer Breaks promotion gives you complimentary room upgrades at the Muse, the Wellington, and the Dylan hotels; special admission to such attractions as the American Folk Art Museum, Bronx Museum of Arts, the Skyscraper Museum, Wave Hill, and Whitney Museum of American Art; offers on activities from Shearwater Sailing, Central Park Bicycle Tours & Rentals, Liberty Helicopters, and Walkin' Broadway; theater discounts for ''Chicago," ''Good Vibrations," ''Hairspray," ''The Producers," and ''Sweet Charity"; and 15 percent off the lunch or dinner bill at La Prima Donna, Mare Seafood Restaurant, Nino's Positano, Piccolo, Riingo, and Stage Delicatessen & Restaurant. Along with the AMEX card, you need a Summer Breaks Savings Card, which can be printed out at www.nycvisit.com. The offers are good through Sept. 5.

You pay for the privilege, but the Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New York and creators of the NBC Studio Tour have come up with a two-hour VIP tour limited to six people at a time that provides access to areas of the studio the public never sees, including studios of the ''Today" show, ''Saturday Night Live," sports shows, Conan O'Brien's and Brian Williams's shows, and the control room. The package includes a night's accommodation, a digital photo of you on one of the sets, an NBC gift bag, and complimentary admission to the Rockefeller Center tour. The price starts at $1,499 per couple at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park, and $1,799 at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park.

Visit www.ritzcarlton.com or call 800-241-3333.

For shoppers, Swissôtel The Drake and Bloomingdale's present the Great Shopping Spree Package. Included are an exclusive Bloomingdale's special savings package, deluxe accommodations, a buffet breakfast for two, complimentary use of the health club, and a welcome amenity. The package, from $319 per night through Sept. 5, includes an executive suite.

Call 888-73-SWISS (737-9477) or visit www.swissotel.com.

One way to get the youngsters pumped up about a trip is to keep them informed about the destination. ''We're There! New York City" (KidQuest LLC, $6.99) by Elizabeth Skinner Grumbach is a colorful 32-page book with puzzles, games, and questions aimed at the preteen set. Other books in the series center on Boston, Washington, and Rhode Island, with more volumes in the works.

Fill 'er up Through Aug. 31, visitors to Stowe, Vt., can get a complimentary tank of gas for the drive back. The Free Ride Home package is available with a stay of at least three nights at participating properties. Package prices start at $300.

(The fine print: The offer must be mentioned when booking and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.)

Visit www.gostowe.com or call 800-24-STOWE.

Numbers game If you're celebrating a wedding anniversary, French Country Waterways will reward you with a discount of 5 to 50 percent on its luxury barge cruises. Discounts are given in sequences of five: 5 percent off for your fifth anniversary, 10 percent for the 10th, all the way to half off for the 50th. The cruises, which have weekly departures through Oct. 26, regularly cost $3,495-$4,995 per person.

Call 800-222-1236 or visit www.fcwl.com.

U2 in Vegas Adventures in Rock is offering a package that includes premium seats to the U2 show Nov. 5 at MGM Grand arena in Las Vegas, a night's accommodation, and a preshow party. The price is $990; additional hotel nights are available.

Call 877-788-ROCK or visit www.adventuresinrock.com.

40 percent savings Buy weekend passes to the 30th Annual New Hampshire Highland Games by next Sunday (July 31) and save 40 percent off gate ticket prices. The advance price is $25 for daytime fairground events Sept. 23-25, including Celtic concerts, a ceremonial Gathering of the Scottish Clans and Massed Pipe Bands, as well as workshops of whiskey tasting, Scottish history, and Scottish country and Cape Breton dance. Other events: Scottish heavy athletics, sheep dog trials, Highland dance, and fiddle, bagpipe, drumming, and harp competitions. Children under 12 attend free when accompanied by an adult.

Call 800-358-SCOT (7268) or visit www.nhscot.org.

When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers usually willpay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.