U.S. Mint resumes tours in Philadelphia, Denver

Denver — The United States Mint has resumed tours at its Philadelphia and Denver facilities.

The same-day tours were suspended after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, although tours scheduled in advance through Congressional representatives had been available on a limited basis.

The tours, offered first-come, first-served, resumed April 6 in Philadelphia and April 7 in Denver.

In Philadelphia, the Mint is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, except federal holidays. Visitors can line up on Fifth Street between Arch and Race streets.

The Denver Mint, at 320 West Colfax Ave., is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, except federal holidays.

Both tours are free; the Philadelphia tour is self-guided.

Visitors must pass through a metal detector. Adults must bring photo identification. Photography, smoking, eating and drinking are not allowed in the buildings. Prohibited items include makeup, combs and other personal grooming items, umbrellas, strollers, cameras, pen knives or other pointed objects.

The Denver facility also bans bags of any size. Visitors to the Philadelphia facility may not bring packages or shopping bags, but may carry purses smaller than 14 inches by 13 inches.

For details, go to www.usmint.gov and click on “Tours.”

Enjoy a tropical stop at top tiki bars

Birmingham, Ala. — Are tiki bars tacky?

Some people think so. But others love the palm-tree decor, indoor waterfalls and mai tais.

If you’re a tiki fan, this list’s for you. Coastal Living magazine’s April issue describes five tiki joints where you can sip a tropical drink and sway to Polynesian pop music without leaving the continental United States.

They are Waikiki Wally’s, 101 E. 2nd St., in Manhattan; Mai-Kai Restaurant, 3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Bahi Hut Lounge, 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fla.; Bali Hai Restaurant, 2230 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; and the restaurant that claims to have started the tiki craze in 1937, the original Trader Vic’s, 9 Anchor Drive, Emeryville, Calif.

Trader Vic’s founder Victor Bergeron came up with the Polynesian theme in 1937 after visiting Tahiti, and he’s credited with inventing the mai tai rum cocktail in 1944.