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I've been fascinated by the LHC for a number of years now and I had always wanted to see it in person. Last year I decided to do something about it and planned a European vacation around a visit to CERN. I got a really wonderful tour of the facility, including the testing/assembly building for the beam lines, the Alpha Experiment (they recently made anti-hydrogen) the LHC and ATLAS control rooms and had coffee in the cafeteria. I felt like a total science groupie, but it was an experience I'll never forget.

Now I'm trying to plan a science experiment/lab themed road trip of the US this summer and I'm wondering if anyone here has any recommendations for fun places to visit? I live in Portland, OR and am planning on starting here.

The places I'm currently looking into visiting are:

  • LIGO Hanford
  • SLAC
  • NIF (Lawrence Livermore in general)
  • Soudan Mine (If Minnesota manages to restart the state government)
  • Tevatron
  • JPL

I'd also be love to check out some big telescopes (optical or radio).

So where else should I go on my nerdcation? Where would you go?

P.S: I know this isn't quite a "Physics" question, but this felt like the best place on Stack Exchange to ask. If there is a better place to post it, please let me know and I'll move it.

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Like I've always said, if you've seen one particle accelerator, you've seen 'em all! – Benjamin Horowitz Jul 3 '11 at 6:40
do LHC have some kind of guided tours you can sign up for or how does that kind of visit work? – Bjorn Wesen Jul 3 '11 at 8:52
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Seems to be (1) a big list (2) completely subjective and (3) about people, not physics. You might want to have a closer look at our FAQ. As far as I know there is no place on the Stack Exchange network to post this as a "Question", but you are welcome to take it chat. – dmckee♦ Jul 3 '11 at 14:17

closed as not constructive by dmckee♦ Jul 3 '11 at 14:17

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