h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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Very foggy/smoggy and not much to see at this time of the morning... will try again another day..

cya
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Went to Chicago this weekend. Great place. Bad parking. Suggestions:

Go to the Art Institute (Museum) on Michigan street. Lots of art to keep anyone interested.

Unless you are a kid, or have one, avoid the Museum of Science and Industry. It costs too much and you know everything you could learn there. They do have a WWII German sub, and a coal mine to tour or you can see an IMAX film (which costs extra, the sound of money being sucked from your wallet will be the furthest thing from your mind), but really. At $7 to park and $7 per person (kids and seniors cheaper) it ain't worth it.

Buckingham Fountain is great. Arrive at dusk and be bombarded with music so American, you'll feel patriotic even if you are Saddam Hussien. Oh, and the light show, of course. This is the fountain you see at the begining of every episode of Married...With Children.

If you come to Chicago for only one day, be prepared to be dissappointed. Bad weather can cause you to not even see the top floor! If there for more than one day, put it first on your list, then be prepared to move it to a better weather day. Unfortunately, good weather days can still be bad smog days. If the sign says 0-5 miles visibility, come back later. If it says 5 or more, go on up. Even better to go at night (open til 11pm).

If the traffic doesn't get you frustrated, the parking will drive you bonkers. Weekend all day parking can be as cheap as $5, plus tax of course, which would bring the total to about $20. Actually, I found a few lots advertising $6.50, and paid $8 with tax. Not bad. When I went to the fountain, I got lucky and found a spot. For $2 you can park for 4 hours, a bargain. Got so frustrated on Tuesday, when the prices become truely awe inspiring, that I went back to the fountain and found a spot on the first go round. Luck be a lady tonight!

Got back to reality yesterday. Remembered why I needed a vacation. College is not as bad as Chicago traffic, but when it hits you, you know it.