Mighty Mo is celebrating Australia Day, Jan. 26, with Down Under Tours, an Australia-themed explorer tour that replaces the Missouri memorial's premium tour through Jan. 31. Guides share stories that link the battleship with Australia and visitors get to see restricted areas such as Broadway, the 100-yard passage that connects entrances of the engine rooms and fire rooms, and extended time in Turret No. 1, home to a mural of Australia created by the crew during a port visit there. Visitors will also receive a free Missouri Koozie from the ship's Victory Store, bottled water and a custom lanyard. Hours: 9 a.m to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $16, $8 ages 4-12 (kama'aina $10, $5 ages 4-12). Guided tours recommended for an additional $7. The Down Under Tour is $29, $12 ages 4-12. 877-644-4896, www.ussmissouri.org.

CALIFORNIA

TAKE ON A SUMMER CHALLENGE: HIKE THE DOME, BUT FIRST, GET FIT

If you're planning to hike to the top of Half Dome at Yosemite National Park this year, the good news is you have months to prepare. For starters, get fit — it's about a 15-mile roundtrip over 10 to 12 hours, and most people do it in a day. Steel cables that cover the last 400 feet to help hikers reach the summit usually are installed in May and come down in the fall. Plan to visit soon after the cables are put in place. On summer weekends Half Dome can resemble rush-hour traffic.
What to bring: a flashlight or headlamp, since you're likely to leave early or return late; broken-in hiking boots; leather gloves; water; and energy bars. Check out the National Park Service site, www.nps.gov/yose. If you're interested in an overnight group trip, contact DNC Parks & Resorts, www.yosemitepark.com.

HAWAI'I

EARN A CHANCE TO WIN AIR TICKETS BY NOMINATING YOUR FAVORITE SPOT

Nominate your favorite place to spend relaxing time in the Islands — a scenic spot, a hotel or inn, an attraction, a town or village — and earn a chance to win a pair of Neighbor Island air tickets. Our top-25 list will appear in March.