A four-hour plane trip or a 15-hour drive will put your feet in New Orleans, home of wild partying and lots of flashing.
Step back in time in the French Quarter, where artists, musicians and fortune tellers fill the streets. Visit unique homes and gardens, historic sites and haunted places on the city's popular group tours.
Check out the plethora of art galleries and specialty stores in the Quarter. Most of the items are too pricey for the college budget, but window shopping is still exciting.
When the sun goes down, hit up Bourbon Street (pictured above) for those famous New Orleans Hurricanes at Pat O'Brien's. Score some coveted Mardi Gras beads with a little exhibitionism or just enjoy the fabulous people-watching experience.
Music is an inherent part of New Orleans. Whether you plop down in the House of Blues or a random hole in the wall, don't skip the talented jazz and blues musicians of the New Orleans music scene.
Hungry? Be entertained by flamboyant waiters at the Clover Grill on the corner of Ninth and Bourbon Streets. Open all night, this tiny restaurant serves greasy bar-food favorites. For something a little more extravagant, Brennan's restaurants serve New Orleans seafood at several locations.
For more information on New Orleans attractions, call the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., 1-800-672-6124, or visit their Web site at www.neworleanscvb.com.
Julie Jones
COLORADO
NEW ORLEANS
For outdoor lovers, we suggest a trip to Boulder, Colo. Nestled in the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is home to 200 miles of public hiking and biking trails and 30,000 acres of open spaces.
After an exhausting day, refuel at one of Boulder's locally owned restaurants. We suggest Deli Zone, where you can get the Manhattan, a turkey sandwich with melted provolone cheese and artichoke hearts. If you have the budget for fine dining, wander through the Pearl Street Mall (pictured below). This four-block, pedestrian-only area is heart of downtown Boulder.
Boulder's breath-taking, natural landscape offers a plethora of options for exercise. Check out the trails on a guided hike through Chatauqua Park. Reserve your space two weeks in advance with Open Space and Mountain Parks. Other popular, open-space activities include in-line skating, rock climbing, and, in the winter months, alpine and cross country skiing.
Like Lawrence, Boulder's night life revolves around its university students.
If you're over 21, visit the Sink at 1165 13th St., or La Iguana Taqueria at 1301 Broadway St. Both locations are popular hangouts for University of Colorado students.
For more information about check out the Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site at www.bouldercoloradousa.com or call at 1-800-444-0447.
--Lauren Reidy
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