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air travel 23 May

WHO | Summary of SARS and air travel All WHO This site only Home About WHO Countries Health topics Publications Research tools WHO sites EPR Home Alert & Response Operations Diseases Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network International Health Regulations Laboratory & Epidemiology Strengthening Preparedness for Deliberate Epidemics Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) Country activities | Outbreak news | Resources | Media centre WHO WHO sites Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) printable version Summary of SARS and air travel 23 May 2003 This document addresses the main concerns of the public at large with regard to the risk of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) transmission to passengers and/or crew embarking on an international voyage particularly from an area of recent local transmission . A more detailed account of the specific measures the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending is available in the Weekly Epidemiological Record dated 4 April 2003. WHO has been working closely with international air transport organizations, including ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and IATA (International Air Transport Association), to provide accurate information in a timely manner to all persons involved in international air travel in order to further reduce the risk of spreading the disease by this means. Risk of SARS transmission in flight The risk of transmission in aircraft is very low. To date, symptomatic probable SARS cases on four flights have been associated with possible transmission onboard. Two of these flights preceded WHO's 15 March 2003 emergency travel advisory, and since 23 March 2003 and the introduction of WHO-recommended screening measures by public health authorities no further cases of SARS in flight have been documented. A key factor in reducing the risk is for passengers and crew to be aware of the main symptoms of SARS which include high fever (38 °C, 100.4 °F), cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. Measure for persons with symptoms compatible with SARS prior to departure WHO has recommended that passengers or crew who develop symptoms compatible with SARS postpone their travel until fully recovered. WHO further recommends that public health authorities ensure that areas with recent local transmission introduce exit screening measures, which may include temperature checks for all passengers and crew. Preventing symptomatic passengers from travelling minimizes what risk there is. Finally, contacts of probable SARS cases should not undertake travel (national or international) for a 10-day period following exposure. In-flight precautions and measures Personal hygiene All passengers and crews should observe good personal hygiene. Wash hands frequently, particularly before eating. If passengers or crew cough or sneeze while onboard, they should cover their mouth and nose, and wash their hands afterwards. Face masks Current evidence indicates that a person infected with SARS is not infectious to others unless s/he has symptoms. Therefore, WHO does not recommend the use of masks by asymptomatic passengers or crew. However, WHO recommends that passengers or crew presenting with symptoms compatible with SARS during a flight from an area with recent local transmission: 1) wear a protective face mask * ; 2) be isolated, as far as possible, from other passengers; and 3) be given access to a toilet cordoned off for their exclusive use. WHO also recommends that the designated crew member(s) caring for a person with symptoms compatible with SARS wear a protective face mask*, gloves and eye protection (e.g. tight-fitting goggles or face shield). Measures on arrival of a flight with a suspected case of SARS The Captain of an aircraft with a person presenting symptoms compatible with SARS onboard should radio the airport of destination so that appropriate arrangements may be made for reception and management by public health authorities. Passenger disembarkation may be delayed upon arrival while the medical officer at the airport of destination examines the patient. Following an assessment by public health authorities, passengers and crew may be required to provide their contact details for the next 14 days. All passengers and crew who are otherwise healthy should be allowed to continue their onward journey. If the ill passenger or crew member is confirmed as a probable case of SARS, public health authorities should notify contacts using the contact details provided. Risk of infection from handling baggage or goods belonging to a SARS case There is no evidence to date to suggest that a person can be infected with SARS from handling baggage or goods, as the major route of transmission is close face-to-face contact with a SARS probable case. Aircraft ventilation The configurations of the air circulation system for commercial aircraft are designed to the specifications of international aviation regulations, as well as guidelines of aircraft manufacturers: Circulation: In flight, fresh air is introduced into the cabin continuously. The entire cabin air volume is exchanged every three minutes. Airflow: The airflow movement is designed to minimize the potential for spreading of bacteria and viruses through the cabin. Filter: Most major airlines install HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters which are highly efficient in removing dust and airborne contaminants such as droplets, bacteria and large microbes. This means that the spread of all microbes is minimized inside the cabin. Disinfection of aircraft Following a flight with a suspected SARS case, it is recommended that the aircraft be thoroughly cleaned following procedures established by local public health authorities which must involve the strict cleansing and disinfecting of the zone of risk in the cabin area (i.e. seats, headrests, tabletops, handsets, and other materials coming in contact with the suspected case) where the case was seated, as well as all shared facilities. The virus that causes SARS loses infectivity after exposure to commonly used disinfectants. * N/R/P 95/99/100 or FFP 2/3 or an equivalent national manufacturing standard (NIOSH (N,R,P 95,99,100) or European CE EN149:2001(FFP 2,3) and EN143:2000 (P2) or comparable national/regional standards applicable to the country of manufacture. About WHO | -- Employment | Other UN Sites | Search | Suggestions | RSS | Privacy © World Health Organization 2005. 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travel insurance direct we

Travel Insurance - USA Travel Insurance Products USA Flight Insurance is a leading travel insurance authority. By selling travel insurance direct we save our customers up to 50% in commissions charged by other companies. Travel insurance can be arranged months in advance of a trip, and our fully trained and friendly staffs are happy to provide advice and general information as well as issuing quotes and policies. Travel insurance is one type of insurance you are guaranteed to use. We need medical attention from time to time, and some of us need it quite often. When it is needed, you want to focus on getting better ­ not on how you are going to come up with the money to pay your medical bills. A good travel insurance plan allows you to focus on what's most important, your physical well being. Is there anyone who doesn't need travel insurance? Even if you're young, healthy and haven't had to see a physician in years, you never know when you might be involved in an accident or be diagnosed with a serious medical condition. While your health coverage will pay for things that aren't too costly like routine doctor's visits or lab tests, the main reason to have coverage is to have protection against the potentially tragic cost of serious injury or illness. You may consider it as an annoyance and an extra expense, and hopefully you may never need to use it - but travel insurance is vital if you are going abroad. Travel insurance takes much of the stress out of unforeseen events (such as loss of valuable or luggage, delay or cancellation), as well as protecting you against the (often very high) cost of medical treatment. You might decide not to buy travel insurance because you think you're covered elsewhere. But you need to make sure that you're adequately protected. Don't be tricked into thinking that the travel accident insurance that comes with your credit card gives you full travel coverage - it doesn't. Travel Articles Inexpensive Things to do in Atlanta during the summer Slip into some shorts and a cotton shirt and prepare to have wholesome, cheap fun in Atlanta during the summer. From free concerts to inexpensive Asian meals, Take One magazines to Starbucks on every corner, and down the way to Little Five Points where parking is cheap and refundable, and shops call out to you on the sidewalks with their air- conditioned caverns. Read more... Main Menu Home Page Travel Insurance Flight Insurance Articles Travel Advice Health Center Insurance Terms Travel Forums Contact Us About Us Site Map Who's Online We have 10 guests online Travel Forums - Housing Bubble Home default notices spike Freddie Mac CEO says high-end housing bubble in some markets (CBS Market Watch) If Housing Slumps, How Safe Are You? (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! News) Seattle may escape housing bubble (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) Fed chief keeps eye on housing (Kansas City Star) USA Travel Insurance Insurance Licence #0E66207. All rights reserved.

Europe travel, travel in

Europe travel, travel in europe, europe travel guide, europe travel stories and travel advice on Seniority.co.uk Main Directory Entertainment Fun & Games Health Home & Hobbies Money News & Tech Shopping Sport Travel Travel Africa \ Americas \ Asia \ Europe \ Other \ Money Conversion \ Advertise With Us Europe travel, travel in europe Europe travel guides to help you plan your travel in Europe: | View All Europe Travel Articles | Recommended Europe Travel Websites Previous Contributions: -- Select previous Contribution -- LATEST CONTRIBUTION ---------------------------------------- Places to Visit in Southeast Spain - Seb Jay PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS ---------------------------------------------- Stockholm A Great Destination That Is Kind To Your Budget - Marc A. De Jong Frankfurt Germany - 12 Insider Tips - Marcus Hochstadt Holiday in Portugal - Part 4 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 3 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 2 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 1 - Roy Stephens Roman Holiday - Lyndon Travellers Tales - Dorothy Wharton A short break in Lucerne - Grahame Stovold Monster of the Monastery - Liana Metal Trip to Norway, Part 1 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 2 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 3 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 4 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 5 - Roxanne Johnson Italian Lakes - Frank Brown Russia - a New Look, Part 1 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 2 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 3 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 4 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 5 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 6 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 7 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 8 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 9 - Harlan Hague My trips to London - Jean Ward Cruising - Sylvia Williams Exploring Medieval Towns - Arthur and Elisabeth Jordan From Vienna to Dublin - Christian Wolf Iceland - Land of Contrasts - Leiah St. Peter - John Burkholder Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 1 - Helene Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 2 - Helene Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 1 - Joy Robinson Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 2 - Joy Robinson Manchester - the Other City - Pat Farley The City of York - Liz Ross Bamberg - Hidden Jewel - Anne Holder Nuremberg - the Heart of Europe - Frances Evans Voyage of Discovery - James Carron Greek Islands - Jack Burgess Short Break in Amsterdam - James Carron Fairy Flags and the Isle of Skye - Marlene Graham Reflections on Malta - John Covington View List "Places to Visit in Southeast Spain" by Seb Jay Southeast Spain along the Costa de Almeria is an unspoilt paradise. A world away from the high-rise hotel blocks and apartments that are associated with some other coastal areas of Spain, this Costa is subdued and altogether much more inviting. Mile upon mile of sandy beach stretches out along the coastline, truncated ever so often by headlands that crash out into the sea. For discerning families looking for a quiet Spanish holiday getaway, the Costa Almeria is the place to go. Beyond the beaches There are a wide variety of places to visit that are within a short drive of the Costa de Almeria coastline. Here are some of the best… Tabernas - Home to the 'Westerns' of the 1960s and 1970s, Tabernas is formed of desert-like rocky outcrops and canyons that have played host to some of the most memorable movies of this era. Clint Eastwood's A Fist Full of Dollars, A Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly were filmed here, as was The Magnificent Seven. The movie sets (there are three 'wild west' towns to visit) are now tourist attractions, with live wild west shows, stagecoach rides and working saloon bars to enjoy. Calar Alto Observatory - The province of Almeria lays claim to one of the sunniest spots in Europe. On average there are over 3100 hours of sunshine to be had in the area each year. Taking advantage of the exceptionally clear skies in this part of Spain is the Calar Alto Observatory - a collection of five giant telescopes, three of which are operated by the Max-Plank Institute in Germany. Although chiefly a scientific research establishment the white telescope domes are a spectacular sight at any time of the day or on a moonlit night. It is also possible to arrange visits to one or more of the domes by appointment in the Sierra de los Filabres. Sierra Nevada Mountains - When on the Costa de Almeria you cannot fail to notice the magnificent peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west of the province. Snow capped for some six months of the year, the Sierra Nevada Mountain range is an all-year-round paradise. During the summer and autumn, hiking is the #1 activity, the mountainside yielding a fine network of paths to explore. During the winter and spring the Sierra Nevada becomes Europe's most southerly ski resort. Granada - A short distance downslope from the Sierra Nevada mountains is the beautiful town of Granada and its most famous of attractions - the Alhambra. A palace residence of Moslem kings that dates back to the 9th century, the Alhambra is a fortress (alcazaba), palace (alcazar) and a city (medina) all rolled into one. Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park - On the south-easternmost tip of Almeria is the 29,000-hectare Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. Pristine beaches, jagged cliffs, salt flats and lagoons await all who explore this natural paradise. With eagles, peregrines, cormorants and razorbills on show, this is the place to come if you enjoy wildlife. Getting to Southeast Spain Travelers should opt to fly into Almeria City airport on the Costa de Almeria coast. Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up from the airport upon your arrival. Visit http://www.your-carhire.com . About The Author Seb Jay is a professional writer specializing in the creation of original web content for http://www.your-carhire.com . Europe travel guides to help you plan your travel in Europe: | View All Europe Travel Articles Previous Contributions: -- Select previous Contribution -- LATEST CONTRIBUTION ---------------------------------------- Places to Visit in Southeast Spain - Seb Jay PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS ---------------------------------------------- Stockholm A Great Destination That Is Kind To Your Budget - Marc A. De Jong Frankfurt Germany - 12 Insider Tips - Marcus Hochstadt Holiday in Portugal - Part 4 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 3 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 2 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 1 - Roy Stephens Roman Holiday - Lyndon Travellers Tales - Dorothy Wharton A short break in Lucerne - Grahame Stovold Monster of the Monastery - Liana Metal Trip to Norway, Part 1 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 2 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 3 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 4 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 5 - Roxanne Johnson Italian Lakes - Frank Brown Russia - a New Look, Part 1 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 2 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 3 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 4 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 5 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 6 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 7 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 8 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 9 - Harlan Hague My trips to London - Jean Ward Cruising - Sylvia Williams Exploring Medieval Towns - Arthur and Elisabeth Jordan From Vienna to Dublin - Christian Wolf Iceland - Land of Contrasts - Leiah St. Peter - John Burkholder Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 1 - Helene Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 2 - Helene Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 1 - Joy Robinson Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 2 - Joy Robinson Manchester - the Other City - Pat Farley The City of York - Liz Ross Bamberg - Hidden Jewel - Anne Holder Nuremberg - the Heart of Europe - Frances Evans Voyage of Discovery - James Carron Greek Islands - Jack Burgess Short Break in Amsterdam - James Carron Fairy Flags and the Isle of Skye - Marlene Graham Reflections on Malta - John Covington View List Europe travel, travel in europe, europe travel guides on Seniority OVER 50s ADVERTISING | PRIVACY | Ts & Cs | SITEMAP | ADD YOUR URL | CONTACT Seniority.co.uk Ltd. 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Chicago Vacation

Chicago vacation tips? | Ask MetaFilter MetaFilter AskMeFi Projects MetaTalk December 28, 2005 2:55 PM PST Home Archives Tags Search Login New User Tags: chicago tourism November 8, 2005 Chicago: I'm visiting Chicago for the first time in a couple of weeks. I'll be there for the weekend with a friend, staying at the Hotel Allegro , and I'm looking for suggestions regarding fun things to do. Where should I go and what should I see? For example: Is the Museum of Contemporary Art worth the trip? Is the Navy Pier a waste? Is the train a convenient way to get around, or am I better off renting a car? What sort of attractions are within a reasonable distance of my hotel (located, I believe, in the Loop). That sort of thing. I've already got tickets to the Second City. Thanks in advance. posted by gd779 to travel & transportation at 5:39 AM PST the responses to my question earlier this year were pretty dang helpful. posted by sluggo at 5:54 AM PST on November 8 The Allegro is right in the Loop and you're right near the trains, so you have lots of options. You're within blocks of shopping (State Street), theaters, and lots of mid to high end resteraunts and bars. Millenium Park is about a 5 minute walk. The Art Institue is about a 15 minute walk away. For loads of shopping Michigan Avenue (the Magnifcent Mile) is 15-20 minutes away on foot. It's all pretty touristy where you are, so it depends what you're into. I've never found anything fun about Navy Pier, but if you're looking for carnival food or overpriced t-shirts that's the place to go. Check Gaper's Block (from MeFite Me3dia) for a look at some of the cooler things happening in the city while you're here. CitySearch and MetroMix have even more things to look at. posted by Slack-a-gogo at 5:56 AM PST on November 8 See also here posted by einarorn at 5:58 AM PST on November 8 Just about any of the museums are a full-day visit, including the Art Institute. If you are using public transportation, Argyle street and Devon make for pleasant international shopping and dining, low key and few crowds. (Red line north to Argyle. Devon is a bus trip.) Public transportation in the central Chicago area is great unless you have plans to get into the surrounding suburbs. posted by KirkJobSluder at 6:19 AM PST on November 8 If you're looking for bars and clubs and things that less touristy check out the Reader . The paper is free and can be found all over the city. It comes out on Thursday afternoons, and from the Allegro you can pick one up at Rock Records, which is exactly one block South on Washington (it's at about the same spot on that block as the Allegro is on Randolph). There are loads of ads and listings, so you should definitely be able to find something to do. TimeOut is also now in Chicago, and you can pick that up anywhere that sells magazines. posted by Slack-a-gogo at 6:19 AM PST on November 8 Oh, I love the Hotel Allegro. I put my maid of honor up there as a thank you when she came into town for my wedding. I think you'll be absolutely fine with relying on the train/buses. If you need to get somewhere that's not really accessible for whatever reason, you'll be able to get a cab really easily. I enjoyed going to Chinatown. You can take the Red Line south a few stops. It's not like San Fransisco or New York, but it's fun. posted by sugarfish at 6:27 AM PST on November 8 The Pier is nice for an hour or so but it's primarilly food and drink. There's the Shakespeare Theatre there if you're so inclined, tho. In the summer Second City runs shows there as well - I saw The Trial of Friar Lawrence there and it was superb. The aquarium is awesome too. I resisted going, having grown up in Miami and with no shortage of great aquatic displays, but went on my most recent visit and it was excellent. Beautiful, well laid-out and well worth the money. The perfomance shows are corny as such things always are, but still neat. Presumably they're done screwing around with the bean so make sure you go see it. It seems like a moronic concept but it's impressive up close. And take a picture . posted by phearlez at 6:35 AM PST on November 8 Whoops - I meant to suggest going to one of the Second City shows while you're there, too. posted by phearlez at 6:35 AM PST on November 8 When I was in Chicago, I was pleasantly surprised that I could get a five day bus/train pass [not including the Metra] for $18. This was definitely the way to go for travelling. There were very few places that I couldn't get to this way, be sure to bookmark their trip planner . posted by jessamyn at 6:36 AM PST on November 8 If you do decide you'd rather not take the Bus or trains, just take cabs. By the time you rent a car and pay for parking you'll come out close enough to even that it's worth it to pay for the convenience. posted by Wallzatcha at 6:41 AM PST on November 8 If you'll be using public transportation, use this site or just call 836-7000 from any Chicago area code and they'll plan your trip for you (i.e. tell you where to get on, get off, and transfer). posted by jtron at 7:11 AM PST on November 8 These may be a little too off the beaten path for your visit, but catching a show by The Neofuturists or browsing the stacks at Quimby's Bookstore will yield unexpected pleasures. If you opt to visit the more readily accessible Shedd Aquarium - may as well walk an extra block and catch the show at Adler Planetarium as well. Great views of the city from out there. posted by tristero at 7:13 AM PST on November 8 The Art Institute of Chicago has one of the greatest Modern Art collections in the world. If you like art, don't miss it. posted by scottr at 7:14 AM PST on November 8 I would recommend Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind The historical society offers tours of the city via the brown and purple lines on Saturday and Sunday. Navy Pier is not a waste if you would like to see an IMAX movie, eat at McDonalds, or buy something that says Chicago on it. I think the art museum and the Shedd are great. posted by srburns at 7:17 AM PST on November 8 The Allegro is great, the restaurant downstairs (320 Grille?) has the BEST scallops appetizer I have ever had. There is a fondue restaurant on the north side called Geja's (I believe it's pronounced "yay-ya's"). It's a good time, celler-like environment, full 3 or 4 course meal. Make a night of it, and expect to spend $50-$75 a person. Also, Mambo Grill on Clark street has amazing latin food. Don't rent a car- it's just too expensive. You can get everywhere you need to go by El or train. Thumbs up on Art museum, thumbs down on Navy Pier, especially in cold weather. The Field museum and Shedd Aquarium are both fun, and farther south The Museum of Science and Industry is amazing. If you are interested in Chicago history, the main building is what's left of what was built for the World's Fair in 1893. Check out " Devil in the White City " posted by bradn at 7:18 AM PST on November 8 The Art Institute is worth seeing, even if the layout is infuriating for the modern works. I like to go there for two hour chunks with a clear idea of what I want to see, in order to avoid museum fatigue (though I can go longer, usually the people I'm with start to whine like babies in the face of all the art. Also, I'm not shy about skipping stuff I think is crap in order to sit for ten minutes in front of the Rothkos. Which you should do.) The Museum of Contemporary Art is usually pretty solid, and can be done in an hour. The Contemporary Photography Museum is small, but absolutely fantastic with its rotating shows, and can also be done in an hour (and is an easy walk from the AI). Aside from that, if you feel like trecking, you can visit the Brookfield Zoo. It's an excellent spot if you're either with kids or on drugs. Or both. Even if you're not, the Rainforest exhibit is worth seeing sooner or later, but I'd be hard pressed to make the trip from the loop that far out just to see it. The Museum of Science and Industry is OK, if you want to feel wistful for the great public works projects of yesteryear, and feel deeply frustrated with the screaming children that decend like locusts to break everything tangible around while their parents ignore them. Most of the really cool stuff is gone, and computer monitors have replaced a lot. Instead of having an emphasis on the sheer achievement and monumentalism that made Modernism so amazing, it's turning into just a large hands-on museum, and one cluttered with the garrish and transient. Though they do have a WWII sub as a last gasp grab towards The History Channel viewers. The Aquarium is top-notch (though I again recommend drugs to push the experience over the edge into truly fantastic), but can have an ungodly wait to get in, especially on the weekends and whichever day of the week is the cheap one. You should see it at least once in you life though, it's really great. My second favorite aquarium, next to the one in Monterey Bay, California (which is totally different in scale and emphasis-- the one in Chicago is just huge and gorgeous, but there's no interaction with the fish). Right next door is the under-rated Museum of Natural History, which I enjoy quite a bit. But I also enjoy looking at the giant rings of trees, dinosaur skeletons and old decrepit mummies, so your milage may vary. For all of those places, you should endeavor to keep a few dollars with you for the plastic models that are die-cast right in front of you. They're probably toxic and cause cancer, but they're so damned cool. I'm working on a full set... If you like music, you should look to Out of the Past records, a dusty anarchic set of vinyl (seriously, no order at all) that has so many hidden treasures that it should be declared on the national registry. It's near the Museum of Science and Industry. Dusty Groove is good too, if you've got some time to kill and are around Wrigleyville. Lots of out-of-print stuff. Totally easy to blow cash there. I dropped $50 like breathing, and I'm a cheapskate... posted by klangklangston at 7:52 AM PST on November 8 Navy Pier will make your soul hurt for a couple of days hence. If you brave Michigan Ave. for shopping or the desire to get your toes stepped on, I'd recommend going to the top of the Hancock. It's a great view of the city and you can have a $12 martini. posted by MarkAnd at 7:53 AM PST on November 8 If you get a chance, try an Ino's burrito-- you won't regret it. There's also a nice little thai place on Michigan Ave. right near the Art Institute that's surprisingly cheap and pretty tasty. Or there's the Chicago Diner, if you go for upper-middle-class vegetarian food. posted by klangklangston at 7:53 AM PST on November 8 Oh, I second the Neo-futurists (or rather, I third it) - TMLMTBGB is the best! The architectural boat tour is one of my favorite things to do in the Chi - it's probably too cold for that, though, so maybe one of the walking tours sponsored by the architects? I know it sounds boring, but it's actually really interesting and fun and pretty. And please eat some pizza. Mmm, pizza. And also, don't get a car, you don't need one, and it would be a pain to park -- public transportation in Chicago rocks (and don't discount the buses, I love the bus system in Chicago). The bar at the top of the Hancock building has great views, too, if the weather is clear. posted by echo0720 at 8:30 AM PST on November 8 As others have noted, if you care even a smidge about art The Art Institute is a must. It's my favorite art museum in the US. Do not miss its spectacular collection of Joseph Cornell's work--the largest one anywhere. The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers a wide array of tours . If the weather is not abominable I highly recommend the river cruise. Devon street was mentioned--this is a great place to eat Indian food. If you like German food, the Berghof is a classic and very popular at lunch. And much to my chagrin as someone who grew up on the West coast and has been eating MExican food all my life, my hands down favorite Mexican restaurants are in Chicago-- Frontera Grill and Topolbampo . posted by donovan at 10:01 AM PST on November 8 Oh yeah, lemme recommend TMLMTBGB as well. Excellent. posted by klangklangston at 10:31 AM PST on November 8 These are all great suggestions, thanks! posted by gd779 at 10:47 AM PST on November 8 Go to the Hideout . Best music in a city which abounds in beautiful noise. posted by felix betachat at 11:36 AM PST on November 8 MeTa . (Just in case the dates work, gd779.) posted by felix betachat at 12:21 PM PST on November 8 Second the Hideout, definitely. Also second (third/fourth/whatever) the Art Institute, in particular the modern collection -- and the Joseph Cornell collection is, indeed, not to be missed. As for restaurants, I always love going to Reza's when I'm back in Chicago -- the fessenjen (cornish hen in pomegranate sauce) is spectacular. On the fancy-schmancy end, if you're in the mood (and have the means!), Blackbird is stellar -- I had one of the greatest meals of my life there. posted by scody at 12:26 PM PST on November 8 Check out Wicker Park starting with the intersection of Damen, North and Milwaukee. It's still a little piece of heaven in some respects. Record shops, coffee shops, thai food, noodle shops, the Double-Door and all sorts of assorted tomfoolery can be had. The Hideout isn't too far north of there either. You'll be on Randolph street which has undergone a huge resurgence. All sorts of awesome stuff if you get on Randolph and head west. Also, as touristy as it is, the area of Wells and Division has Second City and cool things to see. For Blues, avoid Kingston Mines and the neck-high frat crowd and head over to Rosa's on West Armitage. Of course you could always come to our meetup! ;) posted by KevinSkomsvold at 12:39 PM PST on November 8 ON REVIEW: The Out of the Past record store is NOT near the Museum of Science and Industry, despite my visiting it on the same day and somehow believing that it was. Out of the Past is at 4407 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60624. I still recommend you go there. posted by klangklangston at 5:12 PM PST on November 8 I love the area around Clark and Belmont Ave...get off the El at Belmont, walk to Clark, turn left and walk up the street toward Wrigley Field. Lots of cool shops and things there. You should also stop in the Marshall Fields flagship store on State Street. This is nothing like the Marshall Fields stores in the mall. It's a definite experience. Plus the Christmas windows will be done by then, so check those out. : ) posted by SisterHavana at 1:05 PM PST on November 10 « Older I love my lotus lamp. I hate t... | My company has an ISDN2 link w... 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