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The Art Institute of Chicago is arguably the best art museum in the United States; it is certainly in the top five. The vast collection covers an incredible span of time and space in art. Where...
The Art Institute of Chicago is arguably the best art museum in the United States; it is certainly in the top five. The vast collection covers an incredible span of time and space in art. Where else will you see several Monets in the same room, on the same wall, so you can see how a particular idea and theme developed in his work? This is repeated again with influential artist after artist. Remember in Ferris Bueller's Day Off how Cameron just stopped and stared, blown away by the Surrat? That's what the whole museum is like. Do your homework ahead of time so you know what you can't miss, and then take your time exploring the exhibits.
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The Shedd Aquarium is one of the greatest aquariums I have ever visited. The building is magnificent - a true temple to the natural world. There are two admittance rates: one that allows access to...
The Shedd Aquarium is one of the greatest aquariums I have ever visited. The building is magnificent - a true temple to the natural world. There are two admittance rates: one that allows access to just the fish and one that allows access to more. If you're short on time, the fish will keep you plenty busy, but to see everything is quite worth it. Go very early to miss the lines - they can be quite long during the day. If you're going many places, it's worth looking into the Chicago Pass - this is on it. The Shedd does offer a student ID rate.
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The Congress Plaza Hotel is clearly beyond its glory days as a grand hotel, but there are enough vestiges of that remaining for the adventurous traveler. We chose to stay there due to its close...
The Congress Plaza Hotel is clearly beyond its glory days as a grand hotel, but there are enough vestiges of that remaining for the adventurous traveler. We chose to stay there due to its close proximity to downtown and the museums, and its very low cost. The rooms are spacious but a little dingy. The lobby is beautful but not up-to-date - you can see that this was clearly a grand hotel in its heyday. The elevators are a little terrifying and the floor layout confusing. There are picketing workers outside, but they've apparently been there for years - just use the side door (not the one facing Michigan Ave). On parking: if you do valet, you can pay for it with your hotel bill on a card but it's a couple dollars more a day. If you take the car to the garage (where they're going to valet it anyways) it's a couple dollars cheaper but you have to pay the garage cash. I'd stay here again, but not if I was with anyone who was high-maintenance.
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Cold Stone's ice cream is simply amazing. Though there are many places that do mix-ins, the base flavors at Cold Stone really stand out. The employees are always willing to help you find good...
Cold Stone's ice cream is simply amazing. Though there are many places that do mix-ins, the base flavors at Cold Stone really stand out. The employees are always willing to help you find good combinations. Though pricey, there are usually buy-one-get-one free coupons floating around somewhere (especially on State's campus). I can barely finish the smallest size - but don't fear, it refreezes and thaws very very well at home. This location is very active in community fund-raising programs. Keep your eyes open for people encouraging you to mention their student organization and they will get funds from your purchase at no cost to you - it's a great fundraiser and a great way to help someone out effortlessly.
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The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher has recently undergone amazing renovations to repair former damage and bring the aquarium up to modern standards. This, however, also means the demise of the free...
The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher has recently undergone amazing renovations to repair former damage and bring the aquarium up to modern standards. This, however, also means the demise of the free aquarium that we all knew and loved. It's almost prohibitively expensive for a family outing, but a good time. The exhibits are much much more extensive than they were before and my family learned a great deal and had a wonderful time. I wish we had planned ahead to make better use of the aquarium's programs. One of the coolest things is a measuring stick in the outdoor garden that compares storm surges from different storms - the aquarium does give a good bit of attention to the hurricanes that have shaped the surrounding area.
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Kohl's is a family favorite whenever we're in the area.
Each day, the custard selection changes. There's always chocolate and vanilla, and each day has a special flavor. We've been known to...
Kohl's is a family favorite whenever we're in the area.
Each day, the custard selection changes. There's always chocolate and vanilla, and each day has a special flavor. We've been known to stop in for the special flavor every day on vacation - my favorite is the French kiss.
The combos are excellent deals. When they say jumbo burger, they mean JUMBO burger. It's a hold-with-two-hands kind of deal, and tastes very good. The fries are also quite tasty. Both the burgers and the custard are beyond your standard burger-and-ice-cream joint.
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Mitch's is the epitome of a Hillsborough Street institution - as many things have changed, it remains. Mitch's is a great bar to hit on a weekend night, but also a great place for the weekdays too....
Mitch's is the epitome of a Hillsborough Street institution - as many things have changed, it remains. Mitch's is a great bar to hit on a weekend night, but also a great place for the weekdays too. I particularly like the chili - very hearty! - and it's perfect washed down with a beer. The waitstaff is friendly and the atmosphere is absolutely collegiate bar. Everything they serve in a bowl is so good I've never ventured outside of it, but I've heard the other options are great and there's even fresh lemonade (or is it limeade?) for those not in the mood for beer.
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Once upon a time, there was a Hudson Belk in downtown Raleigh. With the flight out of downtown to the malls (what now seems like eons ago), there were left significant gaps. Where were the women...
Once upon a time, there was a Hudson Belk in downtown Raleigh. With the flight out of downtown to the malls (what now seems like eons ago), there were left significant gaps. Where were the women of downtown Raleigh able to drop in and pick up a quick pressed powder, a new pair of nice hoisery or lingerie? Belk Express is the answer. As a student at NC State my first few years without a car, Belk Express was a lifesaver as I could just stroll over one afternoon and pick up a new pressed powder or lipstick. It's also a great place to dash in if you need a new bra, pantyhose, panties, or lingerie for a bridal shower. One word of caution: holds the typical Cameron Village hours, so it closes sort of early on weekdays and is closed on Sundays.
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Ten Thousand Villages is a store with a social concience. All the items available are fair trade and support the development of local economies in the far-flung lands they came from. Even though...
Ten Thousand Villages is a store with a social concience. All the items available are fair trade and support the development of local economies in the far-flung lands they came from. Even though the selection is from all over, they have some unifying themes to their materials (they group them by color in the store, etc) so it's not just eclectic madness. The nativity scene selection is quite nice, as are the housewares (tableclothes and such). I personally enjoy the purses and the jewlry - I frequently come here when I'm on the search for a unique gift. Not only do people love the stuff, I feel much better afterwards than I do when shopping at places like World Market and Pier One. The prices are quite affordable. The staff is volunteer, and they're usually open to training new volunteers - this is a great way to get involved in the community. Since they're volunteers, the staff is quite nice and a lot of fun to talk to. Make an afternoon of it!
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Irregardless, despite its gramatically incorrect name, is one of my favorite Raleigh institutions. Especially famous for its brunches, it's good any day of the week. I particularly love the...
Irregardless, despite its gramatically incorrect name, is one of my favorite Raleigh institutions. Especially famous for its brunches, it's good any day of the week. I particularly love the sandwiches, especially those involving spinach. They are most famous for their vegetarian fare but have options available for those who just have to have meat. It's a great place to go to catch up with a friend or have a casual planning meeting. Parking can be a little confusing - there's a lot on the opposite side the street, closer to Hillsborough Street.
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