THROUGH OCT. 13

THE WATERFALLS OF NEW YORK CITY

It remains the talk of Manhattan. "The New York City Waterfalls" exhibit by the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson plunges in four spots along the East River, where giant scaffolding helps create spectacular cascades, including one under the Brooklyn Bridge that's 90 feet high and 80 feet wide.

There are plenty of ways to view this free treat that range from the Buckingham Hotel's $75,000 "World of Waterfalls" package (which includes a stay in the Buckingham's penthouse suite, a sunset viewing of the falls aboard a private yacht, a gift from Tiffany, a private jet trip to Niagara Falls ... you get the idea) to the hotel's two-night packages that start at $377 a night. There are lots more ways to see Eliasson's mammoth work, of course, on the official Web site, where you can find a waterfall-centric bike tour, downloadable podcasts and more. New York City Waterfalls is on display through Oct. 13. www.nycwaterfalls.org

— Washington Post

ONGOING

THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM

The National Aquarium in Washington, D.C., has put the finishing touches on a five-year, $2 million-plus renovation that has made life for its inhabitants better, with improvements to water and tanks. "We're still small, so we can't do dolphin shows, but we can focus on national marine sanctuaries," says executive director Bob Ramin. So the aquarium has a new theme "America's Aquatic Treasures," with new residents such as a baby loggerhead turtle, new species of seahorses and some beautiful new eels — and you can see it all in 45 minutes.

The National Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Commerce Department, 14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, in the district.

Admission is $5, $4 seniors and military, $2.50 for ages 2-10; younger than 2 free. 202-482-2825; www.nationalaquarium.com.

— Los Angeles Times

ONGOING

NEW FEE TO ROAM AT FORUM

In Rome, the whole Forum area, from the Vittoriano to the Colosseum, used to be free, a place for wandering, like a public park. But in early March, a $16.50 entrance fee was instituted, partly to control pickpockets. The Ministry of Culture says the revenue also will help underwrite further excavation work in a place where you can't dig a hole without unearthing archaeological treasures.

Admission includes one entrance over two days at the Forum, the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. A nifty new addition at the Colosseum is the Time Machine tours for about $8, showing visitors digital images of what the place looked like in ancient times. Old-fashioned audio guides cost about $7.