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A few of our favorite links from around the 'net this week: Famous gangster John Dillinger's story on the big screen means more tourists in his old Chicago haunts. [Chicago Tribune] AIDS Levy for Air Travelers? [World Hum] How do people survive airline crashes? It's not an exact science. [CNN.com] Alaska's Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour—like Deadliest Catch, minus all the work. [Jaunted] Can rock festivals get green? Denmark's Roskilde certainly tries. [Treehugger] Readers write about what makes a good travel companion. [Gadling] For more travel blogs, go to Alltop.

America's birthday falls conveniently on a Saturday this year (or perhaps inconveniently, if this means you won't get a day off from work). A great way to celebrate the big day is to head to the 33rd annual Harborfest in Norfolk, Va., which takes place at the newly revamped Town Point Park over three days, July 3–5. One of the highlights of Harborfest is the annual Parade of Sail, when a large group of sailboats, tugs, motorboats, and, the highlight, several tall ships make their way along the Elizabeth River, arriving at the downtown harbor at noon. This year's Parade of Sail will feature the Brazilian Cisne Branco and the Pride of Baltimore II, which celebrates the early-19th-century Baltimore clippers, ships built for speed and small cargoes that were a key element in the U.S. Navy in the War of 1812. The ships will be open for tours after the parade. (Ship fans should also make sure to check out the USS Wisconsin—or, as her crew called her, the Wisky—at the maritime museum Nauticus, a short walk from Town Point Park.) This year's festival has fireworks each night, including two shows in full darkness, on Friday at 10 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 p.m., and a 7:30 p.m. twilight show on Sunday. The seven-acre Town Point Park, which hosts the weekend's events, has recently been updated—thousands of new shrubs and flowers have been planted, and new lighting has been installed to improve visibility and safety (and minimize energy use). The park is also a free Wi-Fi zone, a very welcome feature. Harborfest events, most of which are free, take place on Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Plan on crowds: Nearly half a million people are expected to show up over the course of the weekend. RELATED My Hometown: Norfolk, Va.

Reports are still streaming in about fans building impromptu shrines and tributes to Michael Jackson worldwide, including at spots in London, where Jackson was scheduled to perform a sold-out 50-concert set. And I don't know about you, but it seemed all I heard this weekend was the King of Pop's greatest hits, spilling out of apartment windows and car sunroofs. But I'm curious: Where will Jackson's ultimate shrine be, the mecca of his famous (and often infamous) career? Elvis has his Graceland, and there's speculation that Michael Jackson could have the same kind of touristy, pilgrimage-like following. Will it be Gary, Indiana, the place of his birth? The mayor sure hopes so, as an influx of tourism would help the ailing steel town. Or will it be the Motown museum in Detroit, where the Jackson 5 recorded their first songs? What about creepy Neverland Ranch in California? Roger Brooks, the CEO of Destination Development International, was quoted in an AP article saying, "It was his place as an adult. It was his vision that built the place from the ground up." We'd also throw NYC's Apollo Theater into the ring. Jackson performed there in 1967 at an amateur night with his brothers (and won). As was everything with the King of Pop, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

We've been asking top guidebook writers for their alternatives to iconic attractions. Today's writer is Anna Brooke, author of Frommer's Paris Day by Day and Frommer's Provence & the Riviera Day by Day. Her recommended alternative to the Eiffel Tower is… …Montparnasse Tower The Eiffel Tower may be the quintessential symbol of Paris. But for magnificent views of Paris that actually include Gustave Eiffel's engineering feat, check out La Tour Montparnasse, France's tallest skyscraper. From the 59th floor terrace, or the 56th floor restaurant, the panoramas astound. It costs €10.50 (about $14.50) adult admission to get to the top, compared to €13 ($18) for the Eiffel top platform visit, and the lines are significantly shorter. For the next year or two, it will remain Paris' only inner-city skyscraper, a controversial 1970s building often criticized for its lack of aestheticism. But you're there for the views of the skyline and of the Eiffel Tower from its viewing platform—not to praise the building itself. Tip: Best visited after dark when the Eiffel Tower sparkles (for about 10 minutes, every hour on the hour). Now don't get us wrong. We're suckers for the Eiffel Tower, too. And neither Anna Brooke nor Frommer's is criticizing anyone who might want to go to the top of the famous icon. All we're trying to do here is recognize that lesser known attractions may have their own appeal, too. For tour info for the Eiffel Tower, see its official website. Better than Stonehenge? Better than Florence's Duomo?