NATIONAL PARKS SPECIALS: Aramark Parks and Destinations, a leading concessioner for the National Park Service, is offering special deals to coincide with Ken Burns' series "The National Parks: America's Best Idea":

• A two-night package to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, which has more than 4,000 archeological sites, includes accommodations at the Far View Lodge, two tickets for a ranger-guided tour, and a DVD set of the Ken Burns documentary. Packages start at $349 and may be booked through Oct. 21 or between April 22 and June 6. www.visitmesaverde.com/specials/index.cfm.

• At Olympic National Park in Washington state, stay one night at any of Olympic's three properties: Lake Quinault Lodge, Kalaloch Lodge and Sol Duc Hot Springs resort. Prices start at $119; stay an additional night at another property for just $99. Available through April 30. (Note: Sol Duc closes for the season on Oct. 24, 2009)

• A two-night package to Denali Park in Alaska, home of Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, includes lodging at either the McKinley Chalet Resort or McKinley Village Lodge, as well as a "Tundra Wilderness" tour and the DVD set. There is also an option to purchase round-trip train tickets aboard the "Alaska Railroad Gold Star Service" from Anchorage or Fairbanks by calling 866-761-6631. The package starts at $799 for dates between May 13 and Sept. 13; it must be booked by April 30.

Savings: 15-30 percent, depending on location and dates, www.aramarkparksanddestinations.com.

SNORKEL AND LU'AU: Paradise Cove with Ko Olina Ocean Adventures' package "Snorkel By Day & Lu'au By Night" includes 3 1/2 hours of ocean activity featuring dolphin encounters, snorkeling with sea turtles and tropical fish, as well as whale sightings in season. Snorkel instruction, gear and a light lunch are included. Guests may follow with a shower before heading to the Paradise Cove lu'au, an imu ceremony, the Hawaiian lu'au buffet and Paradise Cove's Polynesian extravaganza. 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. $108, $78 ages 3-12; kama'aina rates available. Book online and receive a free 27-shot underwater camera. www.koolinaoceanadventures.com/tours.htm.

WHALE WATCHING: Star of Honolulu's 2 1/2-hour premier whale watch cruise is daily from mid-December to mid-May and features panoramic walkways, a 60-foot observation sun deck, whale activities with onboard naturalists, and Hawaiian cultural activities. With lunch, it's $55 for adults, $38 for ages 3-12; without lunch, $39 and $23. Star of Honolulu also offers a more casual, two-hour Wild Whale Watch cruise aboard the Starlet from Jan. 2 to April 15. $29; ages 3-12, $17.50. The vessel also offers casual Polynesian sunset dinner cruises daily. 983-7827, 800-334-6191, www.starofhonolulu.com

4-D MOVIE RIDE: The Shops at Mauna Lani will open "The Great 4-D Movie Ride" in November. The 24-seat theater will show 4-D features and simulated "rides" on a 19-foot widescreen projected from twin, high-definition digital projectors. The on-screen action is synchronized with full-range motion seats, a surround sound system and in-theater "4-D" effects including blown air and water spray. 808-885-9501, www.shopsatmaunalani.com.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL TRANSFORMATION: Previously known as Honolulu Prince Hotel, Aqua Waikiki Pearl recently completed a $5 million refurbishment into a boutique hotel with some of the largest rooms in Aqua's inventory, as well as options for families and extended-stay guests. Rates start at $79 per room per night.

O'AHU'S FIRST MARRIOTT COURTYARD: The Wyland Waikiki has reopened as Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach, the first Courtyard property on O'ahu. The hotel will be managed by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. The 400-room property features swimming pools, Spa Pure day spa, a 24-hour fitness facility, entertainment room, business center, boardroom, Spada Restaurant & Bar and Kimobean Hawaiian Coffee Co. Rates start at $129 per room per night.