travel
choose your own fall break Grab a flight or hop in your car and get out of town cheap. We'll show you where to go. adventure
LAS VEGAS
Flashy Lights. Showgirls. Lucky sevens. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we're talking about Las Vegas, the infamous Sin City. At a five-to-six-hour flight, it's ideal for a four-day trip.
Vegas offers plenty for gamblers, non-gamblers and underage tourists. Themed and extravagantly decorated hotels have enough attractions to keep you entertained for days. See white tigers and volcano eruptions at the Mirage, lions at MGM Grand, pirate fights at Treasure Island and a fountain light show spectacular at the Bellagio. Ride a roller coaster around New York, New York, gaze at the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas (pictured at right) or bungee jump off the Stratosphere. Take a walk downtown to the old strip and watch a computerized light show overhead.
—Julie Jones
Even if you don't have the cash flow, check out Vegas' fantastic shopping areas. Each hotel's shops mimic little cities. The Venetian's shopping area has a canal and gondola rides, the Aladdin's center has a rain shower and Greek statues talk at Caesar's Palace.
Gambling is, of course, everywhere in Vegas. You can play slots as soon as you step off the plane. But for the cheapest gambling, head to the old strip for $1 tables that fit a college budget.
For more information on Las Vegas, as well as restaurant and live show information, call the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 1-877-847-4858, or visit its Web site, www.vegasfreedom.com.
START HERE...
With a bleat from the steam whistle, the last day of class ends. Fall break has arrived. The weight on your shoulders has lifted. Or has it?
With a start you realize that you have no plans. People stream around you talking about museums in Chicago, or their hotel in Las Vegas, or the hiking trails they found in Colorado. Your muscles tighten and your mind races. What can I do? Where will I go? This is a nightmare.
But it doesn't have to be. You have still have a few-weeks to make your plans-for fall break fun. From Thursday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 26 you have a clean slate to do whatever you want Here are a few options
CHICAGO
One of the world's biggest and most cosmopolitan cities is just a few hundred miles away. Filled with exotic cultures, all night diners and an array of shops, Chicago offers a fun time to almost anyone.
If you're of an intellectual bent, Chi-town boasts several renowned museums. You can see ancient bronzes from China's Shang Dynasty at the Chicago Art Institute, bone up on prehistoric anatomy at the Field Museum or spend an afternoon in the Shedd Aquarium.
You can also visit the Sears Tower, one of highest man-made structures in the world. On the observation deck you can see the entire city spread before you like a miniature model.
Relive your childhood with a game of tag in Grant Park, or hum the theme to Married With Children in front of Buckingham Fountain. You can also blow some money at the stores that flank Michigan Avenue.
On top of that, you can get a massive Al Capone fix, learn about the history of chewing gum at Wrigley's and eat some amazing deep-dish pizza. With so much going on a few days in the windy city would be a breeze.
Patrick Cady
thursday, September 25, 2003
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