0 0 0 8B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 3, 2005 Cheap vacation destinations can offer The Michigan D Mich. offers variety of fun options By Kristin Halladay For the Daily With only three weeks left until spring break, some may be looking forward to the trip that was planned months ago, while others may be Pondering how spring break crept up so fast. For those students who haven't gotten around to planning an MTV- worthy spring break or who'd rath- er explore more budget-conscious options, there are still places to go and things to do. There is still time to create an exciting spring break, and it doesn't hiave to cost a fortune either. Two words: Road Trip Students who haven't done any planning ahead of time can still hit the road and have a fun vacation. Large cities are great for exploring and there is definitely enough to do or see to last the whole week of spring break. One tip: stay overnight in a youth hostel rather than a hotel - they are cheaper, host tons of other young travelers and are usually in good condition. Regardless of whether stu- dents stay in a hostel or a hotel, call- ing ahead of time to reserve a bed is a good idea. Chicago The Windy City is probably the most convenient city to visit, as it's only about a five-hour drive away. Culture is abound here, with an assortment of museums and theaters among other things. The Field Museum boasts the world's largest and most complete T. Rex sculpture and - during spring break -will offer a special exhibit with selec- tions from John F. Kennedy's library and museum. Chicago is also known for its music scene - including blues and jazz - so there's always live music around town. On March 2, for example, the Chicago House of Blues offers the Take Action Tour, fea- turing Sugarcult, Haw- thorne Heights and Amberlin. And in the city, you won't have to dine expensively because there are always the famous Chicago-style pizza and smaller cafes. And, for the truly stingy, sim- ply walking around the city and look- ing at the breathtak- ing architecture and famous landmarks is an experience in itself. nine hour drive. Students who are of legal drinking age are especially suited for the city since it has a huge assortment of bars, including South Street Original Crab Shack and Authentic Dive Bar, which is deco- rated like a tree house. There are also some clubs downtown and a lot of nice restaurants. According to Nursing freshman Natalie Hubbard, the Pancake Pantry is the ultimate place to eat breakfast because they have the "best pancakes in the world." On Second Avenue are many attrac- tions, including the Wild Horse Saloon which has good beer, live music and free line-dancing lessons, and the B.B. King Blues Bar, which is also on Second Ave- nue. Singer Jill Scott and comedian Todd Glass from NBC's "Last Comic Stand- ing" will be in town during the first week in March. And like other cities, Nashville has an assortment of shopping areas and theaters. Nashville Nashville is slightly farther away than Chicago, but the warmer tem- peratures may be worth the eight to By Megan Jacobs Daily Arts Writer Some may call it a strange coin- cidence that Michigan's Lower Pen- insula is mitten-shaped; others call it a sign. While many Michigan stu- dents flock to sunny locales such as Acapulco or Cancun for the week, and still others opt for Alternative Spring Break to help out the needy, a great majority will probably have boots and snow on the mind and in sight. Staying in Michigan doesn't have to be a drag, however. Hitting the slopes For skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, Michigan is a veri- table playground. Mount Brighton is a popular destination, offering 26 runs, 7 chairlifts, 10 tows and an impressive 250-foot vertical. It also boasts one of the longest runs in the area, measuring in at 1,350 feet. Visitors have the opportunity to ski or snowboard; lift tickets are always under $30 per day, though the cheapest tickets are for night skiing between midnight and 2 a.m. Don't be discouraged if you don't have your own equipment, either. Brighton, along with other Michi- gan ski areas Mount Holly and Pine Knob, have skis, boards, boots and helmets for rent. Ski equipment is less than $25, snowboarding gear less than $30. For a quieter, perhaps more romantic outdoor adventure, Sleep- er and Port Crescent State Parks (in Michigan's thumb) and Hartwick Pines near Grayling (near Hough- ton Lake in the center of the state) offer candlelit cross country ski evenings. Some nights at Sleeper feature gourmet meals from local chefs, sleigh rides and bonfires. Snowshoeing is also offered at Hart- wick Pines, though be warned, it's more of a workout than one might imagine. Park historian Rob Burg said that "a one-mile hike on snow- shoes feels like three miles of a nor- mal hike." To preregister, call (989) 348-2537. Slick speed If an ice luge sounds more appeal- ing, look no further than Muskegon State Park, where participants rid- ing a sled travel feet-first down a track make of ice. Before sledders can hit the 79-foot-high track, they must do a training run on a lower- level course and even that hits 15 mph over 500 feet. It's the upper luge track that makes the trip worth- while: a 720-foot run on which rid- ers can hit up to 35 mph. Sleds and helmets are provided, but riders are required to wear lightweight shoes or boots and elbow pads and old clothes are advised. Similarly, The Freeze in Waterford has an icy toboggan run to check out. Forward, mush! It doesn't take a trip to Alaska to dogsled, which is fortunate for those spending spring break in Michigan. The Buck Sporting Lodge and Tri- ple Creek Kennels in Rapid River (located in the Upper Peninsula) have packages including a two-hour, one-day and up to five-day guided trips. Participants have the option of riding or driving their own sled. For a fun group trip, Kennels can accom- modate parties of up to 12. Nature's Kennel in McMillan (located east of Rapid River) has two-day beginner and five-day extreme dog sledding ventures. There, one can learn to "mush" (drive one's own dog team), set up a winter camp, cook over an open fire and spend a night with the dogs. No experience is neces- sary for either location. Check out http://travel.michigan.org for more information. At Double JJ Resorts in Rothbury (located near Muske- gon on the west side of the state), trained Alaskan Huskies will pull riders along miles of breathtaking scenery. Even if snow is lacking, it's not a problem for these pooches; Double JJ has sleds on wheels. Call (800) DOUBLE-JJ or visit www. doublejj.com for details. Carving out a good time For those who missed the ice carving extravaganza in Ann Arbor, do not fret. The City of St. Joseph is hosting its first annual "Magical Ice Carving Festival." Visitors can watch carvers transform blocks of ice into shapes and characters in front of their eyes, while enjoying magicians, music, food and shop- Photo illustration by RYAN WEINER/Dai Michigan offers many locations for ski enthusiasts to hit the slopes. ping. Their website, www.sjtoday. org has more details regarding the weekend event. Culture and cinema The Detroit Institute of Arts is featuring a new exhibit now through Feb. 27 of Murano glass. Over 300 pieces of Venetian blown glass from the island of Murano is on exhibit; adult tickets are $10 and may be ordered online at www.dia.org. Feb- ruary is Black History Month and the DIA is celebrating with a month of special events. Storytelling, jazz concerts, song sessions and discus- sion forums are only a few of th wide range of features. Tickets ar $25 per event. Looking for a new twist on th typical movie night? Cruise int the IMAX Theater at the Henr Ford Museum in Dearborn. Ever est," James Cameron's "Aliens c the Deep," a 3-D Nascar film an "Lewis and Clark: Great Journe West" are all playing during sprin break for $10 per ticket. Screening fill up fast, especially for "Pola Express," so advance ticket pui chases are advised. Tickets may b purchased online at www.imax.con ............ .. . ........ . . .... ........ . ........ ...... . .... WRITE FOR WEEKEND MAGAZINE. COME TO THE MASS MEETING TONIGHT AT 7 P.M. AT 420 MAYNARD ST. AND FIND OUT HOW TO GET STARTED.