Entertainment guide

compiled by Rachel Hoerman

Procrastination guide for second term
compiled by Rachel HoermanTrying desperately to wring the last drops of leisure out of break before it fades entirely into the sunset? Then look no farther. Assembled below are a few of the valley’s finest field-trip worthy attractions to keep you entertained.

Barlow Planetarium
University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley
1478 Midway Road
Menasha, WI 54952
Or online at: http://www.fox.uwec.edu/barlow/
Connected to UW-Fox Valley, the Barlow Planetarium ranks among the top five celestial observatories in the world. Equipped with top-notch fiber-optic and laser technology and offering a variety of interesting and constantly revised shows, the planetarium functions as an opportunity for scientific endeavors into the great unknown for celestial enthusiasts the world over as well as an educational experience for the rest of us. Shows are given Every Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturdays on the hour from 2-4 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays on the hour from 2-4 p.m. Shows of current interest include: “Clouds of Fire: The Origin of Stars,” “Stars in My Winter Sky,” and “Wisconsin Skies.” Prices run $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. Call ahead for reservations and more information.

Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve
4815 N. Lynndale Drive
Appleton, WI 54913
(920) 731-6041
http://my.athenet.net/bubolz/
Just outside of the city proper and a beacon to outdoor enthusiasts for years, the Bubolz Nature Preserve offers over 8 miles of hiking trails through a diverse number of habitats, ranging from meadows and cedar swamps to forests and prairies. And for the hard-core outdoors fan, the preserve also offers courses on constructing your very own snowshoes from recycled materials, moonlight skiing and hiking classes, and for those less adventurous, horse-drawn sleigh rides.

High Cliff State Park
Call (414) 989-1106 for address and directions
With 9.7 miles of well-marked and beginner-level bike trails that wind through forests, along bluffs, and lead to scenic overlooks, High Cliff is a great place to seriously hike, bike, or aimlessly wonder for an afternoon.

Regal Cinemas
College AV 16
W3091 Van Roy Rd Appleton, WI
(920) 734-3456
Big, comfy chairs, a clean environment, and free refills on as many supersize popcorns as you can handle make Regal Cinema a great choice for an evening out. Their special student discount rates cut ticket prices to around $5 apiece, and their decent movie selection, convenient show times, and cheaper-yet weekend matinees are some of the best in town.

Hollywood Cinema
513 N Westhill Blvd Appleton 54914
(920) 830-6568 or (920) 993-8272
An older cinema with okay seats and quite a few screens, its proximity to Woodman’s Grocery, Fox River Mall, and Barnes and Noble make it a great stopover for an evening out. Its selection and the staying power of some of its movies ensure you can see your favorites again and again before the indeterminable period of wait between their big screen debut and their releases on VHS and DVD, although without a special student discount, it can add up.

Marcus Valley Value Cinemas
1401 Valley Fair Mall
Appleton, WI 54915
(920) 734-2388
Teetering on the brink of extinction in the veritable ruins of an old strip mall on the other side of town, Valley Value holds true to its name, and is almost impressive at the speed with which it procures some of its titles. Yes, its seats are less than plush, its heating and air conditioning mingle into a draft that will ensure you keep your coat on, and though enough old gum and popcorn have been treaded into the carpeting to form patterns of their own, its $3 admission fee and $1 Tuesday nights are a guiltless alternative for an after-the-holidays college student’s wallet.