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Tags: Theme Parks / Celeb Travel / Indiana Travel / Amusement Parks / Michael Jackson / → All Tags

Gary, Indiana To Build Michael Jackson Theme Park With 'Thriller' Coaster

MJ's Neverland Ranch, which will inspire the park

Some shocking news from the LA Times today, something which we oddly expected but truly hoped would never happen. That's right—someone is building a Michael Jackson Theme Park.

Although the obvious location for the King of Pop's playland would be his already theme park-ish Neverland Rand in Santa Barbara County, California. But no...this whole new development is landing in the singer's hometown of Gary, Indiana. They expect to break ground this year, and plan for a full decade-long buildout, to cost approximately $1 billion. Apparently they think that we'll be more ready for an MJ theme park in ten years, but they are wrong.

After the jump, more on a 'Thriller' roller coaster...

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Tags: Football Stadium Tours / Tours / Sports Travel / Football Travel / Sports / Indiana Travel / → All Tags

Take A Holiday Time-Out To Tour The Home Of The Indianapolis Colts

It’s hard to compete with the Dallas Cowboys’ new shrine dedicated to all things football, but the Indianapolis Colts are trying their best. The Colts haven’t lost one game this season, and thanks to solid play throughout the decade, they were rewarded with their own brand new stadium.

Lucas Oil Stadium sits just outside of downtown Indianapolis and swung its gates open for the first time in 2008—it might even still have that new stadium smell. The architects went with a retro design to the outside of the facility, taking inspiration from traditional stadiums. However, there’s nothing old about the inside of the place, especially when they decide to crack open the huge retraceable roof. They’ve also got a huge wall of windows that can be opened when the weather outside isn’t frightful, and it even allows for a pretty decent shot of the downtown skyline. It was the world’s largest installation of moveable glass, but the Cowboys stole that title from the place with their new home.

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Tags: Airport News / Sales / Airports / IND / → All Tags

Indy Airport Having An Everything-Must-Go Garage Sale

If your old x-ray machine is on its last legs, then we know a place where you can get a good deal on a slightly used one. Tomorrow the Indianapolis International Airport is selling off old airport goodies during a one-day auction. Bring some bucks, because the airport is hoping to make more than $500,000 during their sale. Whether it be forklifts, picnic tables, or old monitors, as long as you can fit it in your car—you can buy it.

Everything is coming from the airport’s old terminal, since travelers have been enjoying their new terminal since late last year. The hallways of the old terminal will be lined with the auction items, and some of the bigger stuff will also be on the tarmac. Even if you aren’t going to buy anything, it might be worth checking out just for the old terminal behind-the-scenes tour; it's a great photography opportunity.

Organizers say that anything that isn’t sold will remain in the building and will be demolished as well. Too bad they can’t just donate the used equipment to other airports that might be needy, or just give us a snazzy row of terminal chairs to adorn the halls of Jaunted HQ.

Related Stories:
· Airport Garage Sale Worth A Stopover [IndyStar]
· New Terminals Travel: Indy's New Airport Opens November 11 [Jaunted]
· Airports coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ann-dabney]

Tags: Best-Jewish-Delis-Map / Delis / Food Travel / Restaurants / Sandwiches / → All Tags

Best Jewish Delis in the World: Shapiro's in Indiana

When Shira Lazar went behind the counter at Schwartz's Deli in Montreal, it got us craving some overstuffed pastrami sandwiches and potato latkes with applesauce. So this week Jaunted is taking a look at the Best Jewish Delis in the World. Got your own suggestion for tasty goody delis? Let us know.

If there's one thing we've learned in researching our best Jewish delis series, it's that there are a boatload of genuine delis in places you wouldn't necessarily expect. So if you think everywhere between Katz's and Langer's is just deli flyover country, think again.

One such institution with an extremely devout following is Shapiro's, which opened way back in 1905 in Indianapolis. Unlike its coastal cousins, this deli is known more for its corned beef than its pastrami. Of course, the concept is not that different—hot, salty meat, sliced thin and piled high on rye, plus mustard, cheese and a pickle to boot.

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Tags: How To / March Madness / → All Tags

Get Tickets to Next Year's Final Four Now

Crushed by your team's performance in the Big Dance this year? Show your conviction that they'll be next year's Cinderella story by entering in the ticket lottery for next year's games. For lower rounds, check out the list of host cities (make sure to scroll down to "2010: Future Sites") and hit "Click for Ticket Info" to fill out a free request for tickets on Ticketmaster; the presale starts in May.

The 2010 Final Four ticket lottery for next year's finals, held in Indianapolis, is a bit more complicated because you have to back up your words with cash: Head over to this site and be prepared to keep clicking and clicking to put down your $160-$180/person payment.

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Tags: Midwest Airports / SBN / Indiana Travel / → All Tags

Indiana Airport Getting Too Big for Its Britches

Leave it to the little regional airports to develop grandiose ideas during a recession; South Bend Indiana's puny terminal is looking to ramp up their routes and reputation with a new $12 million addition and eight jet bridges. As a small town dead in the middle of Indiana's northern border and home to the University of Notre Dame, South Bend currently loses most of its student travel to Chicago airports and Amtrak.

Except for the university and the town's proximity to the Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market, South Bend doesn't get much national play. Expanding their airport may be one way to attract new tourists, but we hope they aren't putting their money on hosting Midwest Airlines. After all, even Gary, Indiana's airport failed during the days when it hosted the old Hooters Airline. Hopefully all that South Bend needs are more hydration options beyond vending machines, shiny new elevators and natural light. Flying through SBN soon? Watch out for the extra ticket taxes and airport fees implemented to support this project.

Related Stories:
· S.B. Regional Airport embarks on renovation [South Bend Tribune]
· South Bend Airport Hopes for 'Massive Renovation' [Today in the Sky]

[Photo: Tysto/Wikipedia]

Tags: Airports / IND / Architecture / Buildings / → All Tags

New Terminals Travel: Indy's New Airport Opens November 11

Now that we've gushed about JFK's newest terminal, shouldn't we check on what's happening in Indianapolis? The brand-new building there will open to arriving flights on November 11, just a few days later than the originally planned date of October 28. Outbound passengers will check in at the new terminal beginning November 12.

Parking and getting around will likely be a mess those first couple days, but airport officials say they have plans to alleviate the stress. (And you can always mellow out with some public art.)

But on the heels of the Heathrow meltdown and JetBlue's own trial run, when can we expect a sneak peak inside the new IND?

Related Stories:
· Architecture Travel: The New Indianapolis Airport [Jaunted]
· Inside JetBlue's Terminal 5 Trial Run [Jaunted]

Tags: Patrick Swayze / TV Set Travel / Airport Photo Shoots / GYY / → All Tags

Patrick Swayze Hosts His Own Airport Photo Shoot

Patrick Swayze took over Gary/Chicago International on Wednesday to shoot an episode of his new show "The Beast." So far, we haven't seen any photos of him goofing off at GYY.

And the airport director says they aren't just filming inside:

I think they're using one of the repossessed planes we have out there, I think an older 737, for their shoot.

Luckily Swayze won't have to deal with passengers begging for autographs: GYY hasn't had commercial service since Skybus went bust back in April.

Related Stories:
· Gary Airport Offers Setting for Swayze [Post-Tribune, via]
· Very Funny, Johnny Castle, Now Get Back to Work [Jaunted]

Tags: Architecture / Architecture Travel / Eero Saarinen / Eero-Saarinen-Travel-Map / Churches / → All Tags

Eero Saarinen Travel: What to Do on Sunday

As we continue to explore the works of Eero Saarinen and his architectural adventures, we move to Indiana. Like his father, Eliel Saarinen, who created the First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana, the younger Saarinen designed the North Christian Church there as well. Completed in 1964, the church was the last building he designed before his death.

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Tags: Zoos / Animals / → All Tags

Hose Monkey Escapes Chicagoland Zoo

A monkey escaped from the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Indiana by using a garden hose to climb the walls of the moat surrounding its enclosure. The mischievous monkey quickly made it to a nearby boat dealership and jumped on a speedboat. Sadly, he was apprehended by zoo workers before making it to the water.

Zoo Director Johnny Martinez assured residents of the surrounding Chicago suburbs that there was no need to worry:

The freedom-seeking monkey is sociable and was not any danger to people.

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg need to get in touch with that zoo fast. That monkey is bound to escape eventually, and the Hollywood folks could give it an outlet for its talents as an extra in the Indiana Jones franchise.

Related Stories:
· Washington Park Zoo [Official Site]
· Monkey Uses Garden Hose to Flee Zoo [AP]
· Animals coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: GYY / Airports / Skybus / Viva Aerobus / → All Tags

Gary Airport Keeps Hanging Hopes on LCCs

Just a couple months ago, Gary/Chicago International was hyping Skybus as the spark that would turn the airport into the region's third air traffic hub. But the ultra-LCC only managed 23 days at GYY before flaming out, leaving the airport without a commercial carrier yet again.

Despite the setback, the airport is moving forward with a plan to link the South Shore Line commuter rail to the terminal, providing a seamless connection between GYY and downtown Chicago. That sort of easy-to-use public transportation is exactly what would make the airport a marketable alternative to O'Hare and Midway--if only passengers had the chance to use it.

The new Mexican LCC Viva Aerobus has applied to fly to Gary but can't start service to Monterrey until the DOT gives the OK. If and when that happens, maybe the combo of low fares and easy airport access will finally end the curse of the LCC at GYY. Or maybe not.

Related Stories:
· Airport Authority Outlines Train Station Plans [NWI Times]
· Skybus Travel: "Significant News Event" in Gary, Indiana Today [Jaunted]
· Bill Diffenderffer Says Skybus Is No Hooters Air [Jaunted]

[Photo: Google Maps]

Tags: Missed Connections / 2008 Candidates Travel / Restaurants / Barack Obama / Hillary Clinton / → All Tags

Missed Connections in Indianapolis: The Never-Ending Primary Edition

So, Obama is Virgin America because his thing is change--but he doesn't have a lot of experience. That makes Clinton--an established player recovering from the slings and arrows of just a few years ago--United.

No wait, he's Skybus and she's Aloha because they're both stumbling right now. OK, fine, we're out of terrible metaphors for the Democratic presidential primary.

Whatever airline suits 'em best, the candidates are off to Indiana for the May 6 primary, so when in Indianapolis, hide out here:

Paradise Bakery and Cafe :: Indulge your wandering eyes--wandering over the double fudge brownies and 24 carrot cake, that is. 9510 N. Meridian St.

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