Feeling some post-holiday blues? Don’t worry – with the new year finally underway, there are plenty of things to look forward to in 2012. Let Metro take you to these destinations and save yourself some money as part of the agency’s Destination Discounts program.

For those of you who want to keep celebrating the new year, head to L.A.’s Chinatown for the Lunar New Year Festival. The Year of the Dragon kicks off the weekend of January 28-29 with the 113^th Annual Golden Dragon Parade on Saturday. Cultural performances will abound and there will be plenty of food, including 1,000 cupcakes from Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” TV show.

Photo by julialat34, via Flickr

Although the festival is free, those who get there by Metro and can prove it will receive a free gift at the Chinatown BID event info booth. Take the Gold Line and hop off at Chinatown Station to get into the middle of the action, or jump on the Metro Local Bus 76 or Metro Rapid 794.

If you’ve decided that 2012 is the year you’re going to see the world, you’ll want to hit up the Los Angeles Times Travel Show from January 27 to 29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. A slew of celebrity speakers and exhibitors will clue you in on the best travel destinations and attractions. The Travel Show also has three new areas, so whether you want to travel in luxury, go on wild adventures or schedule some family fun, you’re sure to find something to suit your desires. Go Metro and avoid paying for parking, then show your valid Metro pass or ticket and save $3 on each admission ticket purchased at the box office on the day of the event.

The Convention Center can be reached by several Metro buses, including the Metro Rapid 720 and Rapid 728, and the Blue Line. Visit Trip Planner at Metro.net to find the easiest way to get there.

For a destination that’s a little closer to home, take the Blue Line or Metro Local Bus 232 to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, a short walk from Metro Rail’s Transit Mall Station.

Photo by Mustafa Sayed, via Flickr

Learn about over 10,000 animals and have a close encounter at Shark Lagoon. Show your valid Metro pass or ticket and get $2 off adult admission and $1 off child admission.  With trains on the Blue Line running every ten minutes in the evenings, getting home by rail after a long day of exploring should be a snap.