from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb. live from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza. hello, everybody. >> hello. >> hoda and i are very happy to welcome you on our winesday wednesday, june 26th. >> look at our "today" at the front, by the way. >> bianca. >> bianca made this cake with a sheet cake and a teacup. and i don't know. she bent things around. anyway, we loved this so much we wanted it to be front and center. >> and we said thank you so much for the rainbow. it's not a rainbow, it's a sunrise. >> get it right, people.

anyway. >> big day here today. >> couple of things, backstreet boys will be joining us a little bit later. but a lot of news was made this morning. interesting to see the reactions on the websites and all the twitter, all of that stuff regarding paula deen's appearance this morning. >> it was interesting, because i think a lot of people, i'm sure, saw it. and people are so quick -- it's weird now with twitter and facebook and stuff because people can weigh in instantaneously. i think it was one of those things that when it came on we were all watching it together in the makeup room and it was a lengthy interview. and your stomach was in knots just because you didn't know what was going to happen. >> you know so much is at stake for her. >> so much is at stake. what struck me initially, there was a little trouble getting started. and i think with the nerves and the rest of it you can understand. >> you were thinking uh-oh. >> but it was a highly emotional interview. i think that that is probably not debatable at all. and you know -- >> very emotional actually when

the cameras were turned off and she left. >> yeah. >> that's when all the pent-up stuff apparently -- we didn't see it but we heard from different people there that she had a -- just sobbed her eyes out. >> we should encourage you to watch the whole thing. it's hard to cherry pick pieces of an interview. >> exactly. we just got news coming on that she's just lot another of her business deals. caesar's entertainment corporation just announced they will not renew their relationship with her. they have paula deen themed restaurants at four of their properties. >> here's the thing. you know what's funny. when i saw the interview my very first reaction -- you know when you don't talk to anybody, you're in a vacuum. >> we just watched. yeah. >> i thought she spoke directly to the people. she didn't go for the corporations. and i thought she helped herself. other people said, well, no, the only people who support her still like her and the people who didn't like her, don't like her. i had a different feeling. >> you thought it changed people's minds. >> i thought it did. >> a lot of other people around here didn't think so at all. >> let's watch the clips we have and then you guys can decide.

>> the main reason i am here today, matt, is it's important to me that i tell you and everyone out there how -- what i believe and how i live my life. i believe that every creature on this earth, every one of god's creatures, was created equal. >> you are a cook, but you're also a businesswoman. you're the head of a brand. you understand the bottom line. you understand image. >> yes. >> given the same circumstances, would you have fired you? >> would i have fired me? knowing me, no. >> i'll ask it to you bluntly. are you a racist? >> no. >> do you have any doubt in your mind that african-americans are offended by the "n" word? >> i don't know, matt. i have asked myself that so many times because it's very

distressing for me to go into my kitchen and i hear what these young people are calling each other. it's very, very distressing. >> you've never joined in on that language? >> no. if there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back, if you are out there, please, pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me. please. >> i think that's what resonated. i think that part at the end. because, you know -- there were inconsistencies in some of the things she said. but i think that emotional part at the end. and i think everyone at home at some point in your life, whether you believe or don't believe her, whatever, you know that you've said something you regret and you wish you could take back. >> well, i think that's the point. i think a lot of people are saying, but does she regret what she said, truly repent of it, or is she sorry she got caught and

now there's so much at stake? i felt terrible for her. i also feel terrible for anybody that was on the other end of a racial slur or something like that. you know what the truth is? we've all said and done things that we are ashamed of or should be ashamed of. we'd all like to take certain things back. but there is -- one person wrote in on the tweet, hoda, that you mentioned. i thought it was interesting. she said, "there is ignorance and there is racism. and there is a difference sometimes." >> but the impact that the person feels is the same. >> is the same. that's right. it does the same damage. and i was thinking that's why we have to leave judgment up to god. because i could say something and knowing the intent in my heart is not to hurt somebody, but if somebody's hurt by it it wasn't what i intended. and that's the only thing we cannot figure out about this. did she intend to be hurtful? only god sees the human heart. a lot of people don't believe in him. >> i think she said, you know, when she's used the n word 30 years ago under distress when

there was a gun to her head, that was one point. and then in the deposition they asked her have you ever used the n word and she said "of course i have." of course sounds like it happened more often than not. >> of course sounds like who hasn't? >> who hasn't? right. >> there are inconsistencies. >> and i think the other thing that didn't sit well with me was when she said there are -- i don't know if this is true or not. but there are people out there trying to take her down. and whether or not that's the case, it could be, i don't know -- >> it muddied it. >> yeah. >> i do remember the thing i miss was the disk jockey was fired for a few years back was very racially inappropriate. and he was hired back. he's doing extremely well again. i mean, i -- it's going to be interesting to see what happens. here's what i think was a dangerous thing to say, if she said everybody that knows me, all of my employees have never heard me say this, that's opening the flood gates for somebody that could just stand up and say, wait a minute, i work for her and i heard it. and that's potentially very

dangerous. >> actually, the way she speaks of her employees, that she loves them and they love her, i'd like to hear from some of them. you'd think if something was happening to you or me, we know people in this building would come out and say that's not the case, she's not like that. and you want to hear other people who know her, have known her for a long time standing up for her if that's the case. >> you know what i feel about it now is if she's guilty of what she is accused of and she's not truly sorry, then i think it's good what's happening. heaven forbid if she's not what she's been accused of. then i feel terrible for her. we still don't know. >> i'll be very curious to watch. this caesar's thing we just told you about that they dropped her happened shortly after that interview. >> you think they were watching it seeing how it was reading? >> i think so. but i'll be very curious to see about qvc and some of the others. what's weird is she does this cruise and they just -- i just saw on the wire before i came up here, they've doubled the number of people who want to go on her cruises. so she's rallying her --

>> yeah. rallying the troops and those who believe in her. the thing is nothing will ever be the same. that i do know from experience. she will be answering for that in one way or another, whether it's true or not, for the rest of her life. >> let's move to lighter things. this is such a great caper, kim kardashian and kanye west. >> we can segue like nobody else. >> nobody's as good as us. this is so crazy. so they didn't want any of their inner circle to be leak business about the baby pictures. so what they did -- >> she got back in shape quick. i want what she's having. >> so what they did was they gave out pictures to their inner circle, different pictures to each person in their inner circle. and they said don't show these to anyone, just for you. just for you. just for you. and he then they waited to see who gave up the photo. isn't that so good? anyway -- >> it's so "game of thrones." >> somebody gave it to "access hollywood" and they busted them

because they knew that it wasn't a real photo. >> what do you think it was? >> i don't know. when kris was here she had the picture and she didn't even show to matt apparently on her phone. >> i was scheduled to have lunch with her yesterday and went to the wrong restaurant, ran out of time. i could have seen it. but then here's the thing. i could never leak it because i don't know how. unless she gives me a picture, i can't give it to somebody else. so if you want a secret to be kept, daggone, it you give it to me. >> tmz also confirmed that two people tried to sell a picture to them. >> and "access hollywood." >> wow. >> time to think about new friends, people. >> that is so awful. isn't that terrible to know your besties are giving your stuff? >> i wish they'd do -- and i think this would be -- i wish they'd do what brad and angelina did. sell the pictures, give up every penny of it to a children's cause. >> good idea. yeah. >> kim's done a lot of work with the dream center out in los

angeles, given them stuff. it's all been very quiet. make it public, give it to women of domestic abuse there or something like that. i'm not telling anybody else. but if you want to change image, do it that way. >> smart. so kanye west, you guys, we love when kanye gives interviews, because we just do. i'm sorry. >> he never bores you. >> his "yeezus" album is number one. however, it is the lowest-selling of his debut albums of all. that's what it said. it may be number one, but for him -- >> still more than i sold. >> yes. all right, here's what he said to "w" magazine. "nobody can tell me where i can and can't go, man." >> that's right. >> "i'm the number one living and breathing rock star. i'm axel rose." >> never liked him. >> "i'm jim morrison. i'm jimi hendrix." >> the last two are gone. >> he also said "my ego is my drug."

>> my drug is i'm better than all you other mothers. kiss my hiney. >> this is good. on how kim has changed her wardrobe to please him, he says, "nobody can tell my girl what to do. she just needed to be given some platforms of information to work from. for her to take that risk in front of the world, it just shows you how much she loves me and how much she actually loves the opportunity to learn." that is sick. i'm sorry. that is awful. >> well, she did say back in march that "i dress for my man way more than myself." i don't know, you know what -- >> but learning -- >> i don't know. >> that picture. >> i've known her since she was a kid. i don't know kanye at all. >> have you ever met him? >> one day. >> we met him here. >> that was not a good day. okay. anyhoo. it wasn't. it wasn't. it was a tough day for everybody. >> anyway, if you have an idea for an internet business but you're not sure how to get it

off the ground, we can help. >> i've got the answers. >> of course you do. >> no, the founders of gilt, g-i-l-t dotcom are here to help you. >> for all you devoted fans, the backstreet boys, you know who you are. >> they are here to share their brand new music. but first these messages. ♪ tell me why hey kevin...still eating chalk for heartburn? yeah... try new alka seltzer fruit chews. they work fast on heartburn and taste awesome. these are good. told ya! i'm feeling better already. [ male announcer ] new alka seltzer fruits chews. enjoy the relief!

♪ i've got the brains it is time for part two of our special series "make it happy today," helping you turn your dream of starting an internet business into reality. >> the girls of gilt.com did it. their online startup changed the way that millions of people shop, growing to some 8 million members -- >> what? >> yeah, hoda.

and more than 1,100 employees in about just six years. >> howe. so how did they do it and how can you? alexis maybeck and alexandra wilson are the co-founders of gilt.com. and msnbc's j.j. ramberg is the author of "it's your business." >> hi, ladies. >> how are you? >> otherwise hoda zones out if i don't join in once in a while. >> all right, so this company has exploded, obviously. we talked about how many workers and things you have. how many did you start off with? >> there were just four or five of us at the very beginning. >> was it four or was it five? >> five co-founders -- >> five of us. >> okay. >> side by side in the makeshift office and crafting the idea and launching it. >> for people unfamiliar with what gilt does, explain a little bit of what your business is about. >> it is a really exciting shopping experience where you come every single day for up to 20 new sales of women's, men's fashion designer accessories, stuff for your home, stuff for your children at prices up to 70% off. >> you do like these flash

sales. >> everything is online and you can shop from your mobile phones, ipad, gilt on the go, it's really, really exciting. it's easy and fun to shop. >> and is it new stuff nobody can get anywhere else or is it stuff like from bargain sales that you just get tons of? >> product directly from our brand partners. and we hand-select it all. we create sales that might feature 60 of the best looks of a line. so we kind of do all the hard work for our customers. >> that's great. >> so starting a business like this it's hard because you're not showing a product saying look what we're ceiling. you're selling an idea, a concept. how tough was it to sell and how can people at home do what you guys did? >> well, one of the things we recommend to people starting a business, something we're passionate about, we actually wrote a book called "by invitation only" to inspire people to pursue ideas they're passionate about. but think about your idea, test it out before you blow your life savings, and see if it works. >> we should ask you probably that, j.j., the expert on this. >> you are saying the exact right thing, which is it's different. starting a business now is so different than it was 20 years ago. then you would sit in a conference room, come up with an

idea, try and make it perfect and put it out there. >> get a pub lisist. >> now you don't have to do that. you can come up with an idea for not that much money, especially if it's a website, get it out there, put up something. >> or social media, right? >> you can make a pretty cheap website by yourself. >> how do you get people to go to that website? >> start with your friends. start with people you think are going to be your customers. >> word of mouth. >> ask them to come to the site and test it out and tell you what they think before spending millions. >> after you have it tested out, because i don't know how yours exploded but -- >> that's how we started. >> how did you go from your friends -- >> justin bieber. >> how did you go from your friends going on your website to what it is today? >> well, a couple things. first, we encourage all of our friends to invite their friends, gave them incentive, it was all viral. so we encouraged our members, our consumers to be almost our marketing team. >> if there was something they didn't like, did you then really listen to them and make changes? that's important, you got to know your customer.

>> you have to empathize with your customer, and you can. you can call them, you can see on the website where they're clicking, where they're not. >> what percentage of businesses -- you guys hit the jackpot, obviously. you guys are doing very well. but what percentage of businesses don't make it? like what are the odds of someone trying to start out in this field? >> 50% of businesses are not around five years later. >> so it's like a marriage. >> really sad. >> about the same? people still keep getting married. >> you didn't go to business school or anything, did you? >> we did, actually. >> you did. >> they went to harvard. >> they went to harvard, hoda! i'm the one that's supposed to make those kinds of mistakes, not you. so glad it was you. >> ladies, i'm glad you're smart. nice to meet you both. congrats on your website. >> i went to oral roberts. okay. tomorrow all the steps you need to take to build your own business from scratch.

>> you know all those photos that made us say "what the what" we're going to share those with you. you'll like it a lot. hey. they're coming. yeah. british. later. sorry. ok...four words... scarecrow in the wind... a baboon... monkey? hot stew saturday!? ronny: hey jimmy, how happy are folks who save hundreds of dollars switching to geico? jimmy: happier than paul revere with a cell phone. ronny: why not? anncr: get happy. get geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. that everyone should have access to good nutrition. so they're donating two meals to feeding america for every purchase of one a day women's multivitamins. help families across america get nutrition they need. buy one a day women's, make a difference.

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♪ it is wines day wednesday and that can only mean one thing. "what the what?" >> when sara sifts through all those photos that sent us -- that you sent us. and sent us into hysterics. >> allegedly. >> that's right. first, let's go to our contest winner from last week, we showed you this photo from laura nelson. we got a huge reaction, but the winning caption goes to tracy piper who wrote "yeah, that's right, i got rid of the cat. do as i say or the same will happen to you." little stink eye. >> that's adorable. >> we'll show you another caption one at the end you can submit. our first photo is fro roxie denning in bristol, virginia. lunch and dinner, mixers and wine. sounds like the fourth hour at the "today" show. >> what's wrong with that? >> liquid diet? it works for everyone. >> that one i don't get.

>> nance gary charlotte, north carolina submitted this photo. beer, wine, and liquor. taxes done here. hey. >> you know what? you'll make mistakes, but you won't care. >> we should all drink. next up a photo from alex rudell from boynton beach, florida. "if anyone would like a copy of this document, please ask tom in the office." >> what document? >> exactly. that document. we'll take two. finally, from darcy from liberty lake, washington, submitted this photo. "curta "curta "curta "curta "curtailturtle council." >> that's the name of the -- >> they've got feelings too. we think it's a last name, we're not sure. >> okay. >> bring your turtle there. new photo for the caption contest next week from courtney menard. >> oh, my god. that is adorable. >> that's so cute. >> could you die? how cute. >> go to our facebook page to submit your caption. we could use it next week. also college students, tweet us. let us know what school you go to and why you like watching us and we may read your tweet on air this friday.

>> can you believe college kids watch our show? >> yes. >> they're uneducated. they haven't been educated yet. of course they'll watch our show. >> stay that way. >> it's summer wedding season. to celebrate, we're playing a game of "who knew." >> and the backstreet boys are here. >> plus the five places in our country you're going to want to visit. because there's been some survey done of some sort. or something. >> after your news and weather.

and we're back with more of "today" on this wines day wednesday. we're ready it play "who knew." it is wedding season, so if you've been invited to a few this summer, getting ready to walk down the aisle yourself, we've got a little pop culture wedding trivia for you. kathie lee is across the street at the nbc experience store. ready to hand out $100 to those who get the answers right.

and to those who don't, lucky, lucky, a kathie lee cd. >> scandalous cds for you. >> oh, my gosh. here to help me out is rebecca do dollgin, editor and chief of theknot.com. are you ready? >> yes. >> fire away. >> this beautiful blond is from one of my favorite cities, annapolis. what is the name of the enthusiastic wedding planner played by martin short in the 1991 comedy "father of the bride"? francois, matty, bernard, or fronck? >> francois? >> no, no, it's good. it's good. >> it's good for somebody. all right. so the correct answer -- >> it is franck. and if you watch "real housewives of beverly hills," you actually saw the person, kevin lee, it's based off a real wedding planner. he planned pandora's wedding and if you saw it you would know it was based off a real pson. >> i did see that. all right. back across. >> birthday girl here from naples, florida. happy birthday. if june is the most popular month of the year to get

married, what months are the least popular? would you say november and december? january and february? february and march? or march and april? >> january and february. >> you got it right. >> there's a little delay. >> just to put that into perspective, june is the most popular month. 17% of all weddings happen in june. and only 1% to 2% happen combined january and february. >> it's freezing and close to holidays and all that stuff. we get it. >> save for proposals, not for a wedding. >> this lady is from lexington, north carolina. if june -- you know what? that was meant for you. did i give you that card? okay. sorry. here we go. which celebs make this song as was their first dance? ♪ somewhere over the rainbow was it president barack obama and first lady michelle obama? reese witherspoon and jim toth? channing tatum and jenna dewan? or was it beyonce and jay-z?

>> president barack obama and michelle obama? >> no. remember beyonce singing -- ♪ at last even i knew that. >> all right. the correct answer here, channing tatum and his wife jenna. >> exactly. and they're actually expecting a baby or just had a baby. they met on the set of "step up." >> this is an interesting version of "somewhere over the rainbow." >> yeah, it's good. >> who sings it? >> oh, gosh, you stumped me. "at last" is one of the popular ones. >> from paris, tennessee, this lovely lady. which celebs made -- doggone it, i keep forgetting to give you these things. i'm getting old, people. what is the average cost for a wedding today? is it $5,000? $10,000? 28,000 snds $28,000? or $50,000? >> darn, i believe i'd say, c, $28,000? >> yes, indeed. mama knows. >> you're right. >> $28,000. >> that's the national average. here in new york it's closer to about $76,000. >> that's crazy. >> in alaska it could be half

that, about $15,000. >> wow, okay. we have time for another. >> also from lexington, north carolina. finish the lyrics to this song made popular by bruno mars. ♪ it's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do ♪ >> got any young people with you? >> yes. any help? help. no. i have no clue. >> oh, that's all right. you're going to know every song on this cd. >> "hey, baby, i think i'm going to marry you." it's a beautiful song. >> it really is. it was really popular last year in a proposal video that went viral. >> oh, that's right. i forgot about that. >> it was fun. >> thank you so much for coming to see us. we appreciate it. they're one of the biggest boy bands of all time, and they are here. the backstreet boys will be with us right after this. [ female announcer ] discover weightless shine.

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they are still making great music after all these years. that's the newest song from the backstreet boys. >> i like it. >> it's called "in a world like this."

and two decades later, these boys turned men are still driving female fans crazy. >> they have a lot going on. they are about to hit the road for the tour and their new cd drops next month. all five guys are here. let's do a roll call. they are a.j. >> hello. >> nick is there. >> howie. brian. and kevin. >> hey, kids. how are you? >> the cd's not available yet but the new single is. >> it's up on itunes. >> what kind of reaction to the new single? >> a lot of good reaction. people are being pleasantly surprised. the song was written by max martin, which he wrote "i want it that way." all our biggest hits. it really has some familiarity. >> a lot of time has passed. people have an expectation of what they want a backstreet boys song to be like. yet you also want to be fresh and new and contemporary. so that's a challenge. >> we want to grow at the same time. >> yeah. >> but you know, we always want to keep that backstreet boy sound. >> people will be disappointed if they don't hear it.

>> how does it feel to all be back together? >> not good. >> horrible. we're miserable. >> look how miserable we are. >> yes. >> we're just having a horrible time. >> i can tell. what are the bus rides like? because you guys used to i'm sure be wild back in the day when you were all single. now you're all married. you're newly engaged, nick. congratulations. >> the tour was like a locker room in the early days. >> animal house. >> some funky smells every now and then. but now we all are on our own buses because we've got our kids and our wives. >> the kids all go. >> you don't get along anymore basically. >> wives don't like to share the bus, do they? >> we discovered if you have a little space, you do get along better. >> ah. >> interesting. >> unless you're not getting along with your wife and she's on the bus. >> then you're on the other guy's bus. 's >> then you're on the bus with a.j. >> why my bus? >> a.j., it's always your bus. >> my bus is where everybody always wants to come hang out for some reason.

everybody wants to come play video games on my bus. come hang on my bus. everybody does. >> that's not true. >> here's the question, the chicks, i'm sure, are still digging all of you guys. what's it like when you're traveling with your families and you've got these screaming female fans -- >> who put on a few pounds. >> my wife freaks out about it a bit. >> my wife is cool, get up there and take a picture. grab them in the butt. you know. >> really? >> his wife maybe. >> what about if they try to -- try to grab you on the butt? she says that's okay? >> my wife has her own fan club. >> she does? >> yeah. >> the wives have their fan clubs? >> my wife and kevin's wife have been around the longest probably. 16 years. >> and how many of you guys have kids now? just saw your beautiful little girl. >> i have the only girl. >> yeah? >> oh, no. >> i have two. >> two boys. >> 10-year-old little boy. >> i have a 5-year-old and one on the way. >> congratulations. >> congratulations. >> i don't have any. >> not that you know of. >> these are my dads. >> not that he knows of, at

least. >> how is your fiancee adjusting to this group, this whole dynamic? >> i mean, it's a different world. it really is. she's a normal girl and, you know -- some of the wives have actually been really helpful. and kind of -- >> they're embracing of her. >> exactly. lee is definitely a pleasure. >> did you come close to getting married before or is it a first for you? >> it's definitely a first for me. i actually said was never going to do it. >> for years. >> when you get to a point, i'm so in love, you don't want to lose the person. >> thought of losing her. so what's so special about her? >> honestly, she -- we literally could sit at home and play video games together. we play sports together. we're best friends. >> she reminds me a lot of myself. [ laughter ] >> you know he doesn't say much, but when he does -- >> that's why nick loves her so much. >> she's a dude. >> love that. >> you know what? they are really good friends.

they're buddies. they're good for each other. >> all got to get along. we're excited for you guys. >> we're rooting for you. >> congratulations. >> thanks for coming back and seeing us old ladies. appreciate it. >> we see you every morning when we have our coffee. >> thanks, you guys. >> god bless. >> all right. you guys looking for somewhere to take the kids this summer? >> give them a taste of american history with five places that are must-see. right after this. good morning to you. i'm weather channel meteorologist alex wilson with your seven-day forecast. we're going to be watching for storms once again across the southeast. even up into the mid-atlantic. areas like philadelphia, washington, d.c. could see some strong storms. close to chicago and kansas city we'll be watching for some of that storminess as well. temperatures will be in the 80s for atlanta, washington, and new york. really hot in the southwest. phoenix 113. 102 in albuquerque. 103 in dallas. tomorrow the west coast will be mainly dry. but once again it's the east coast where we watch for the

showers and thunderstorms. highs will pop out in the low 90s for atlanta, washington, d.c., and orlando. they're going to be around 92. we've got 84 on tap for new york. 86 in louisville. the heat, the crazy heat still in the southwest, where phoenix makes it into the 118 degree range. saturday once again phoenix at 118. we'll be around 80 in l.a. 75 in san francisco. some showers around the great lakes up into the northeast. and once again around the southeast coast and parts of florida we'll be watching for showers. same story on sunday. keep an eye to the sky. although the temperatures will have you wanting to head to the pool. 83 new york and boston. 87 orlando. 86 in washington. by monday still the same story for parts of the east and southeast. down in florida we'll be watching for some showers. that heat sticks around in phoenix with temps around 111. albuquerque will be around 90. near 90 in dallas. kansas city at 79 to start the new week with chicago highs in the mid 70s. next tuesday still watching for

rain showers and the potential for some rumbles of thunder around the east coast. watch for a scattered or isolated shower storm near the chicago area with temps in the upper 70s for both chicago and minneapolis. don't forget each weekday morning you can wake up with al and stephanie. it all starts at 5:30 a.m. eastern. >> with hotwire's low prices, i can cross even more places off my travel wish list. this year alone, i hit new york and texas. see, hotwire checks the competition's rates every day so they can guarantee their low hotel prices. >> men: ♪ h-o-t-w-i-r-e, hotwire.com. ♪ both tylenol and bayer back & body are proven to be effective pain relievers

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all right. a lot of families are getting ready for their summer vacations, so in the spirit of independence day coming up next week, we wanted it check out some patriotic destination uz may not have thought about. >> jeanine is orbitz senior travel editor and has the five must-see places that are fun for the kids and steeped in american history. but a little off the beaten track. >> everyone knows about d.c., gettysburg. a lot of people have been there. right. here are some places you may not have thought of that are still fantastic places to see in america. >> and affordable too, right? >> very affordable. >> let's start with charlottesville, virginia. >> home to three of the founding fathers who went on to become u.s. presidents. thomas jefferson's home monticello is here. >> first vineyard in america. >> we know all the wineries around here.

university of virginia is here, and it's really weaved into the community, the history, the early american history here. lots of tours, educational things to do. >> what's your hotel pick? >> the boor's head inn, i love this property, from $160 a night. it's set on 573 acres. it's beautiful and owned and operated by the university of virginia foundation. >> great. >> next we go to houston, texas, for the johnson space center. >> the johnson space center opened in 1961. mission control. this is where the first astronauts were quarantined when they came back from the moon. there are a lot of great exhibits here for the family. they have a film that actually puts you in the shoes of an astronaut from training, through the first mission. it's beautiful. there is a nasa tram tour that takes you through the old rocket park where a lot of the rockets from the early space program are. >> especially if kids are space minded. they're interested in that. that would be awesome. >> let's go to st. louis, missouri, shall we? >> a lot of the smaller midwest cities are often overlooked and st. louis is second only to washington, d.c. in terms of

free attractions and museums. there's a lot to do here. home to the gateway arch, the largest manmade monument. there is a 19th century paddle boat replica that gives narrated tours. there's ford park which becomes the largest urban park in the country. actually twice the size of central park. and my hotel pick is the moon rise hotel. $171 a night. it's in the loop district, which is kind of a rejuvenated shopping area. it's a boutique property. beautiful terrace. >> all right. a little town in colorado you're fond of. >> i love durango, colorado. this is where the old west survived and the new west thrives. now it's a big mecca for mountain biking, outdoor activities. it started off in 1881 as a railroad town. mesa verde national park is nearby. they have a historic downtown. it's really known for the durango railroad and -- >> you like the double tree there. >> i do like the doubletree. it's set on a scenic river, $209 a night. you can walk to downtown. you can walk to the railroad. >> quickly, the san juan islands in the northeast. not where you think. >> you might not know if you haven't been there.

it's beautiful. there are over 450 islands. obama actually in march proclaimed it a national monument, so it helps protect some of the land, and you can take ferries. only accessible by ferry or sea plane. and you can take ferries from downtown seattle in the summer. you can rent mopeds. you can take tours. >> this is the time of year to go. >> hotel, quickly. sorrento hotel, first boutique hotel in seattle, $122 a night. everyone from the vanderbilts to bono has stayed there. it's a great property. >> great. thank you very much. >> thank you for coming to see us. >> all righty. you found the perfect guy, now you want him to stick around for good. >> dishes that have him coming back for more. >> we know what we mean by that. >> i don't know what it means. >> i don't either, but it was there. first, this is "today" on nbc.

it is time for today's kitchen. what's cooking, we got three romantic meals to seal the deal with the man of your dreams and have him coming back for second. >> nadia g. host of cooking channel's "nadia g.'s bitchin' kitchen" -- >> you said it. >> that's what they call it. says these dishes will help you bag them and tag them. >> that's sick. that is gross. >> pay attention, hoda. >> the biggest mistake people make when cooking the first meal for someone is putting on a

massive spread, the oysters, the champagne. it makes you look desperate. >> that's how dumb people are. >> exactly. you want to cook up some simple dishes that are like not -- >> what are we making? >> first up, shepherd's pie. >> oh, that's so good. >> if you can help me mash up the potatoes here. we've got yams. throw in a little bit of cream. and a little bit of butter. in the meantime, here i've got some beef and onion. we're going to add some nice spice there, a little bit of salt, little bit of paprika, throw it all in there. give it some nice flavor and color. those onions. >> all right. >> a ton of taste. >> now into a greased baking dish it goes. we're going to create layers here. >> like a lasagna. >> exactly. >> and if these cooked just a tad more i'd be ready with them, but they aren't. >> put some elbow grease into it. >> work it, work it. >> okay, here we've got some creamed corn. >> did hoda just say work it? >> i said work it. >> here you go.

switching it up. >> put the creamed corn on top of the beef here. this is going to make it nice and succulent. >> i like that word. >> on goes the potatoes. >> they would have been ready had they been better cooked. >> well, yeah. i think you want a little bit of bite in the potato. >> just more cooked. i was not upset at anyone. >> i think these potatoes look great. >> bianca, not anybody. >> we'll add this gorgeous layer of hot mashed potatoes on top. >> sorry about that. >> then what? >> if you whipped them the way i like it. >> and some crumbled potato chips. >> now you're talking my language. now i'm interested. >> there you go. >> that's good. you've got meat and potatoes. you're impressing everyone. unless they're vegetarian. then you've got a problem. then you're screwed, or not screwed, rather. >> anyway, moving on. here we've got a gorgeous cream sauce with some fresh cherry tomatoes. we're going to throw in a little bit of crab. exactly. just put that in there. >> noodles.

>> yeah. mix this up. and here you have the finished dish. you can mix the linguine in with that. we're going to add a little bit of fresh parsley and some parmesan. >> what kind do you use? >> parmesan. >> yeah. >> someone once e-mailed me said no italian would use cheese with seafood. i said replace the parm with a gentle sprinkling of -- >> real quick, 20 seconds. >> here you have some french toast. >> what did she say, i missed it. >> something. >> okay. >> all right. some salted caramel on top, just like that. >> it must have been something. look at that. >> look at the time. >> and a dollop. look at this. this is a meal that impresses. >> i'm impressed. >> and they'll be back for seconds. >> thank you, nadia g. find more on klgandhoda.com. >> how to stop the summer brain freeze. >> all right.

also getting your home and outdoor space ready for summer entertaining. >> the iconic actress. how did you avoid the brat pack? >> none of those guys wanted to make out with me. you either want to make it work or you don't. jeff: if you don't pete gets to take them home. you separate undergarments as well? >> that would be crazy. [captioned by national captioning institute] [cbs television distribution] a little about me. i'm recently married. i work with my wife on the show. and i'm learning to be a dad to two amazing kids in a blended family. i'm hosting the talk show because there's a lot to talk about.