<p>Since some of us have found that adding some “fun” to the audition process is a good idea, I thought I would start a thread with ideas. Here are some that we did.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Pittsburgh- Eat at Primantis. Have the “Pittsburgh Sandwich”. We suggest the corned beef one. BUT only get a half. Also check the schedule for arts events in downtown Pittsburgh. We wen to the symphony.</p></li>
<li><p>Baltimore- we went to the aquarium and the surrounding food bistros…much like Boston’s Fanuiel Hall.</p></li>
<li><p>Boston…too much to mention there. We went to a great Thai restaurant on Charles Street called “The King and I”. </p></li>
<li><p>Winston-Salem- Go to Reynolda and walk the grounds and tour the home. If you have a LOT of time, drive to Asheville.</p></li>
<li><p>Dallas- We combined the trip to UNT with a family vacation and drove to San Antonio for three days. Lots of fun on the River Walk there…and very relaxing.</p></li>
<li><p>Cleveland- (DS didn’t audition there…but I am from there)- Go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A concert at Severance Hall is also wonderful to see (sort of recently renovated…it’s a great concert space).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Ithaca: downtown walking area with some cute shops. Eat at Moosewood for great vegetarian food. In nice weather, go to some of the gorges.</p>
<p>Hartford: er…leave town? There are the casinos an hour away for those who like that sort of thing (with lots to do besides gambling - I’m partial to the Pequot Indian Museum with a really nice historical village), Mystic Seaport, autumn leaves. Downtown Hartford has several good restaurant options.</p>
<p>Hartford…If your family likes art…go to the Wadsworth Atheneum. If they like science…go to the new Science Center. Both are in downtown. The Max restaurants are terrific. BUT for some fun…go to Blue Back Square in West Hartford Center. It’s all of a 10 minute city drive from the Hartt School. West Hartford Center has a ton of trendy restaurants. Blue Back Square is shopping but nice for walking around (and has some good food too).</p>
<p>I really don’t like Hartford but it is the home of the basketball hall of fame if anyone is interested. There is also a cool lego sculpture in some insurance building downtown, ask and someone will point the way, it’s somewhat famous.</p>
<p>Ithaca is a great town and I would consider retiring there. Take your kids to Hickey’s Music !! Great music selections, five or six aisles of music.</p>
<p>You can also stock up on pipes and rolling paper, I can’t remember the last time I saw so many head shops in one place.</p>
<p>Great burgers at Glenwood Pines a little bit out of town.</p>
<p>Great thread! In Pittsburgh can also go to Carnegie Museum which is in between Pitt and CMU. Primantis is delicious! Joe Mama’s is also good if you don’t want a HUGE sandwich with coleslaw and french fries. </p>
<p>Would love suggestions for things to do at UMD College Park we will be headed there in January. Thanks!</p>
<p>UMDCP isn’t all that far from Baltimore and the harbor there…great place to go…great aquarium and shops. And it’s also not all that far from DC.</p>
<p>Hartford also has the Mark Twain House. Dinosaur State Park (fossilized dino footprints in what is now rock) under an enclosed structure. About 20 minutes away on I 91 in Rocky Hill</p>
<p>Oberlin is small, but there are lots of nice things to see in addition to the organized presentations and tours of the college and conservatory: the Allen Art Museum, the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian house (check for the opening times); check the schedule in advance for plays and concerts; there are always recitals, etc. Walk to “the Arb.” For food, best bets are The Feve (hamburgers, bar food, good breakfasts), Black River Cafe (great for breakfast), Weia Teia (more upscale fusion food), Agave (burritos), and a new bagel place that just opened down the main street. And check out Gibson’s - which sells…everything…and has good whole wheat donuts.</p>
<p>In Rochester NY, visit the George Eastman House and the attached Museum of Photography. The Strong Museum houses one of the largest toy collections in the world. High Falls is lovely and right downtown. There is a shopping area with restaurants and bars right near the falls as well.</p>
<p>If in Montreal for McGill or any of its other fine music schools, here are some suggestions:<br>
a) climb Mount Royal or (probably best, especially if in winter) drive most of the way and walk to the viewpoint which looks southward over downtown and the river;
b) go to St. Joseph Oratory; it is also on Mount Royal and involves many many steps and has a view of the north side (which is not as scenic); I particularly liked the stations of the cross walk just to the east of the oratory: incredible views, nice gardens, peaceful;
c) go to Old Montreal; aside from its old world charm, there are many cafes, bistros, restaurants there; Cirque de Soleil was performing on the river edge of Old Montreal when we were there; Notre Dame is on the northwest corner and is worth a visit in its own right and more especially so if they are doing the Lumieres show;
d) go to the Biodome if you are into that sort of thing;
e) if you can’t stand the cold and snow, head to the underground city; it extends forever connecting several malls as well as hotels and office towers; if you need some sunlight, pop up for a quick walk on St. Catherines which has some of the finest shopping anywhere.</p>
<p>Denver Lamont School – Carmine’s on Penn
Northwestern – Rosebud in Schaumburg
UCLA – Diddy Riese (just ask), Eurochow if you’re liquid
USC – Chano’s (just ask), Rose Garden, Exposition Park
Juilliard – Get a burger at Nick’s (71st btwn Columbus and CPW) as your s/d will eat there once a week for the next four years
Rice – lots to choose from but I like Bistro de Amis on University Blvd. (the secret ingredient in the creme brulee? LAVENDER)
Bowdoin – Colonel Joshua Chamberlin’s House (if you’re visiting, I know you don’t audition there) and also the Old Munich Restaurant and Biergarten on 1st st in Topsham
Dallas – Sammy’s BBQ (downtown so a bit away from SMU but worth the drive–you’d get to check out the arts corridor and Meyerson Hall while you’re at it)
NEC – GREAT Thai place nearby. Pan Thai on Westland.
Philly – Geno’s and Pat’s in the south part of town. I prefer Geno’s. Do NOT add any hot sauce unless you are really really really sure about it. It will hospitalize you. And yes get whiz.</p>
<p>(FYI–I gain about 10 pounds each time I go on the road for recruiting. Sorry I don’t have more tourist attractions on my list). </p>
<p>I’m going to Rochester this week. Where should I go to get my Red Hots?</p>
<p>Gosh, we blew it! At every audition or visit we pretty much stayed at the school. Flew in, auditioned, flew out. Ate at the school (eating in the cafeteria is a great way to see the student body in their natural habitat.) Plus we had to learn the answers to a couple important questions - what was the food like, and did they have Coke products. :)</p>