Madame Tussauds recently revealed the details of its newest attraction, Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Located in the heart of Hollywood adjacent to Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood is scheduled to open in summer 2009 as the first Madame Tussauds to be built from the ground up in the 200-year history of the company.

The 44,000-square-foot, $55 million, three-story building will be home to celebrity wax figures that can cost upwards of $150,000 each to create. Set in 11 themed areas (The Red Carpet, Party, Spirit of Hollywood, Westerns, Crime, Modern Classics, Making Movies, Sport, Action Heroes, Behind the Scenes and Awards Ceremony), more than 80 figures will be on display. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled the first three figures to be included in the new museum: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles and the recently deceased honorary Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant. Hollywood prides itself on status symbols that celebrities thrive to attain, from getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to being the recipient of an Oscar Statuette. Having a wax figure created in your honor at Madame Tussauds Hollywood will soon be considered another preeminent mark of achievement for the celeb-set to earn and the public to admire. Not only will visitors be able to see their favorite celebs up close, the figures at Madame Tussauds can be touched and approached for photo opps. (www.madametussauds.com/hollywood)

In addition to the variety of attractions surrounding the World Cruise Center, cruise travelers to Los Angeles will now be met with even more fanfare. The Port of Los Angeles recently unveiled the Fanfare Fountain of Gateway Plaza, a spectacular Bellagio-style waterfront fountain entryway welcoming visitors to Los Angeles with water shows synchronized to music and lights. Comprising the largest water feature in California, the fountains pump 400,000 gallons of recycled water through 58 jets around a sunken walkway. Music includes American standards and international selections that showcase the region's Croatian, Italian and Spanish heritage.

Once travelers are ready to explore, the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line loops around 1.5 miles, with a stop at Ports O' Call Village, an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants along the waterfront. For just $1 a day, passengers can experience LA's vintage mode of transportation with unlimited rides. The fare is transferable for free rides on the San Pedro Electric Trolley, which connects passengers to downtown San Pedro and Cabrillo Beach Recreational Complex, a swimming, fishing and boating area spanning 370 acres. A youth sports center and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, can also found here. (www.portoflosangeles.org)

Grammy Award-winning superstar Jay-Z will be the first performer to take the stage at the newly renovated Hollywood Palladium on Oct. 15. Reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, who was the first performer on the legendary stage in 1940, Jay-Z will be backed by a 12-piece band.

Built to showcase live music, the Hollywood Palladium opened Sept. 23, 1940, with a concert by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra. The year-long, top-to-bottom Palladium re-do includes a new dance floor, new facade emulating the original architecture, expanded concessions, upgraded restrooms and improved interior lighting. Major infrastructure upgrades allow the venue to accommodate larger, modern productions, and revamped acoustics will give fans a memorable concert experience.

A legendary venue from the start, the Palladium has hosted performers ranging from the Rolling Stones to James Brown. Upcoming shows include The Roots and Gym Class Heroes (Oct. 17), Flogging Molly (Oct. 25), Rise Against with Alkaline Trio (Oct. 31-Nov. 2), Alejandra Guzman (Nov. 21) and Slightly Stoopid (Dec. 6). (www.livenation.com)

The Original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax will celebrate 75 years in business with a year-long celebration beginning January 2009. The market opened July 14, 1934 in its present location―the brainchild of entrepreneurs Roger Dahlhjelm and Fred Beck―and has been delighting generations of locals and visitors ever since.

Ongoing festivities will include walking tours, commemorative merchandise, a Farmers Market photo history book, the new Farmers Market cookbook and expanded versions of market events including Mardi Gras, the Fall Festival, Gilmore Heritage Car Show and Summer Music Series. A highlight will be a week-long celebration beginning July 13, which will include a public ceremony and party on July 16. In recognition of public affection for the market, the Farmers Market is offering opportunities throughout the year for customers to share their "market memories." There will be "memory boards" spread throughout the property and on the Farmers Market 75th Anniversary web page for local, national and international customers to share pictures or short stories about their experiences at the market. (www.farmersmarketla.com)