This Northeastern United States location is rich with history. Vermont is a New England state that attracts tourists all year round. Whether you’re looking to arrive this summer for a little home away from home vacation, or spending the day in Vermont for fun, I’ve come up with a list of 10 sights to see while in Vermont that you must add to your travel bucket list.
If you’ve never visited New England there’s no better time to do so. The entire region is well-known for good food, a rich and interesting history and so much more.
Are you looking for free activities to participate in, while exploring the area? These are a few possibilities to consider. As you can see, there really is something for everyone!
Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut)
Yale University hosts a free guided tour of its historic campus. As long as your group doesn’t consist of more than 10 people, no reservation is required. Visit both the Yale Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art. While you’re there, you may be lucky enough to take in a free concert. Continue reading »
I don’t know about you, but I have been hearing buzz about Gatorland in Orlando for years. It’s one of those attractions that I have had on my bucket list for a long, long time and recently I was able to cross it off. We had some time between checking out of one resort before we could check into the next, so I figured it was the perfect time to head over to the the Alligator Capital of the World!
Sure, you go to Gatorland to see the gators, but in addition to thousands (literally) of alligators, Gatorland has much more to offer. Gatorland boasts the largest collection of extremely rare white leucistic alligators, a free-flight aviary, petting zoo, one-of-a-kind animal shows, thrilling Screamin’ Gator Zip Line and their new Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure! Your day at Gatorland will be full of fun and memory making! Continue reading »
What’s worse after a long day of traveling than standing in a long line at the airport waiting to pick up your rental car? I always dread coming off of a long flight to have to search for the rental car counter and then wait forever for the long process to be over with- nevermind all the upsells they try to push on me once I am there. Having just gone through the rental car process in July when I was in Charleston (longggg lines and tons of paperwork), I said to my husband that there HAS to be a better way to get a rental car. Well, it turns out that there is and it’s called Silvercar.
With Silvercar there are no lines and no paperwork. Yes, you read that right – no lines or paperwork!! Everything is done on their app and right now Silvercar is available in 24 cities across the US. I had a chance to try out renting a car through Silvercar when I was in Orlando last week and let me tell you, it’s a game changer when it comes to renting a car. Continue reading »
Maine is a beautiful state full of rich history and natural sights to enjoy. If you’re planning a day trip or vacation this summer to the Northeastern state of Maine, then you’ll want to read on for the top 10 things to do while in this beautiful state.
Boston is a fun and interesting place to visit, there’s no doubt about it! This is especially true for history buffs. If you’re in search of free historic sites to visit in the city, you have tons of options to choose from. Here are a few to consider.
Boston Freedom Trail
The Boston Freedom Trail is the red brick walking trail that takes visitors to several themed sites across the city, important during the American Revolution.
Follow the trail to get a look at some of Boston’s most famous spots. This includes Paul Revere’s house, the site of the Boston Massacre, Granary Burial Ground and the Old North Church from which revolutionaries used those infamous lanterns to signal that the British were coming.
There are several (daily) 90-minute walking tours, which take you along the trail. Knowledgeable guides provide information about each site. Or, if you prefer to walk the trail at your own pace, audio players are available from the Freedom Trail Foundation. The players feature stories and information that you don’t get on the guided tour. Continue reading »
Here in New England, summer is way too short and my family really tries to make the most of the nice weather we do get. One thing we do every single year is head up to Portsmouth, NH to Water Country. There are several water parks in New England, but Water Country is by far our favorite.
For over 30 years, Water Country has been the go-to destination for family fun in southern New Hampshire. Water Country features family-friendly rides and attractions like Big Ollie, Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror, and the lazy river. They have more slides, pools and attractions than any other water park in the area and there is definitely something for everyone there. A day at the water park is just that, a full day!
My family had a blast spending the day at Water Country this past weekend and I wanted to share a few tips with you for your trip: Continue reading »
The home of the Mark Twain House & Museum and capital of Connecticut, Hartford is a city that brings much entertainment and sights to see. This is the place to go to view some historical locations, artistic talents and enjoy the views of the city. Today I’m featuring 25 things to do in Hartford, CT so that you can plan your next Connecticut visit properly.
I love to travel. Unfortunately, my budget does not allow for expensive, elaborate getaways, so I have to be creative and frugal. I try to pick places that I can drive to and that I can do inexpensively. I recently returned from a week in Maine and had more fun than I ever imagined I would there. My son was on vacation with his father, so my best friend and I went on a girl’s road trip. We didn’t spend much, doing mostly free things, and I figured I would share with all of you.
We stayed in Bangor, as it was central to most of the things we wanted to do. No trip to Bangor is complete without a trip to Stephen King’s house. I’ve been a fan of his writing all my life, and his house is exactly what you would expect. Continue reading »
Growing up, my siblings and I waited all year long until my parents finally said we were going to “Edaville” to see the Christmas lights. It was one of highlights of my childhood and I have so many happy memories of going there year after year with my family. These days it’s known as Edaville Family Theme Park and I am so thankful that I have the chance to take my own kids there so they can have the same wonderful memories of Edaville as I do.
But why is it called Edaville? Ellis D. Atwood used his initials (E.D.A) to name the theme park back when it first opened. He started this railroad by purchasing most of the surviving equipment from Maine’s once expansive network of two-foot gauge rail’s and had them trucked south to Carver, Massachusetts – and it is now known as Edaville Railroad. Continue reading »
I almost hate to jinx things, but I am just going to say it. We’ve been having some killer weather here in Boston this summer. It’s been so hot here (the way I like it) and knock on wood, we’ve had very little rain. Last year I feel like it rained for 80% of the month of July, so this nice sunny weather we’ve been having is so nice. With all the gorgeous weather, I decided that I wanted to plan a Boston staycation for my family. Sometimes it’s so fun to play tourist in your own city! I headed over to TripAdvisor because I needed help narrowing down what we should do. There is a lot to do in Boston, but since my boys aren’t always enthusiastic about doing things as they used to be (darn tweens/teens), I had to be sure to choose adventures that would keep everyone happy and entertained.
Did you know that you can book activities and experiences directly through TripAdvisor? It’s super convenient to be able to look through all the things they offer to do in the city you’re traveling to, read reviews while you’re there AND book whatever catches your eye – all in one spot. You are going to TripAdvisor to look at the reviews anyways, so why not just book your experiences while you are there on their site. Trust me, it makes life so much easier! Continue reading »
There are so many can’t miss things to do in Martha’s Vineyard. This beautiful island location is in Massachusetts just south of Cape Cod and can only access Martha’s Vineyard by boat or air. It features Gothic cottages as well as several ferry ports, depending on which end of the island you venture to. Today I am sharing 25 things to do in Martha’s Vineyard to assist you in planning your vacation itinerary.
If you believe in ghosts, chances are you love exploring haunted places. What follows is a short list of the most haunted places in New England. The question is this. Are you brave enough to go exploring?
The Kennebunk Inn (Kennebunk, Maine)
Originally built as a private residence, the Kennebunk Inn opened as a tavern in 1928. It is said to be haunted by Silas Perkins as well as various other apparitions. Perkins, the inn’s former auditor and watchmen, loves to play pranks on guests and employees alike. Most especially in room number 17.
Snedeker Demon House (Southington, Connecticut)
This funeral home turned private residence is the home that inspired the book (and movie) “The Haunting in Connecticut.” It’s where Ed and Lorrain Warren, both paranormal investigators, assisted the Snedeker family of ridding their ghosts in 1986. Continue reading »
Nantucket houses 10,000 people permanently but is a known getaway for many tourists looking to enjoy vacation with the family. Located about 16 miles from Cape Cod, this Massachusetts location brings much joy to anyone who ventures to Nantucket. Today I am sharing 25 things to do in Nantucket so that you are inspired to travel this summer and enjoy all that Nantucket has to offer.
Every state has its share of weird roadside attractions. Massachusetts is no different. When you’re in the mood for the unusual, consider the following options. You’ll be glad you did!
Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast (Fall River)
In August of 1892, Fall River residents Andrew and Abby Borden were found murdered in their home. Their adult daughter Lizzie was accused of the crime but was acquitted after standing trial. The house remained empty for some time after Lizzie moved away. However, it eventually became a Bed and Breakfast catering to tourists looking for a spooky travel destination.
Today, the house has been restored to reflect its appearance around the time of the gruesome murders, along with crime scene photographs on the walls of each room to show how closely everything has been refurbished.
Guests who aren’t frightened away in the night are treated to breakfast in the morning, resembling the very meal the Borden’s ate on the day of their death. Continue reading »
This hook-shaped peninsula located in the state of Massachusetts has been a popular summer destination for many generations. From lighthouses to seafood shacks and the quaint villages, every family member will surely enjoy a vacation to Cape Cod. Located near Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, many travelers enjoy all three locations while in vacationing in this area. Today I’m going to share 25 things to do on Cape Cod so that you can plan your itinerary before heading out to the open sea to visit this beautiful peninsula.
The City of Boston makes it super-easy to patronize your favorite food truck vendors, by providing residents and visitors with a handy Food Truck Schedule. It’s totally worth it to take a look! In the meantime, here are three popular options to consider.
Roxy’s Grilled Cheese (http://www.roxysgrilledcheese.com/)
When Food Network featured Roxy’s Grilled Cheese on “The Great Food Truck Race,” this mobile eatery had already secured it’s claim to fame. One quick look at the menu proves it.
Roxy’s Grilled Cheese specializes in giving you the meltiest, cheesiest grilled cheese experience ever! Constructed with a variety of cheeses including Vermont Cheddar, Fontina, Pimento, Swiss and Muenster, these grilled cheese sandwiches are like NO other.
For example, one of the most popular menu items, the “Mighty Rib” consists of a Fontina grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with caramelized onions and barbecue braised beef. In case you’re in the mood to over indulge yourself during your visit, order up a side of Roxy’s amazing hand-cut truffle fries to go with it! Continue reading »
Tucked away in central Massachusetts, Great Wolf Lodge New England is THE place to go for a weekend of family fun! Located in Fitchburg, Great Wolf Lodge is more than just a water park. Sure, your family is in for an incredible water park experience when you visit, but there is much, much more including tons of family friendly attractions, shopping, entertainment and various dining options – all under one roof! I was invited to spend this past weekend at Great Wolf Lodge with my family, so I am going to tell you all about it.
If you are like me, the Indoor water park is most likely the initial draw to Great Wolf Lodge. Obviously around these parts we have much more cold weather than we do hot weather, so that makes an indoor water park very appealing. The water park includes a number of awesome water slides, an indoor wave pool and Fort Mackenzie, which is a water fort tree house with slides and toys. You can also Grab a tube and float your way around Crooked Creek (lazy river), try to pass across the Big Foot Pass, where you have to cross these large, floating lily pads using only cargo nets for help or play in Chinook Cove, activity pool gives you the chance to swim, splash and shoot some hoops.
I love Maine. I can’t tell you exactly why, but it’s one of my favorite states (after my home state of Massachusetts of course). I head up to Maine every chance I get and Portland, Maine is one of my favorite destinations when I head up. I’ve gone to Portland both with the kids and without and if you are planning on bringing the kids with you, here are some family friendly things to do while you’re there.
If you follow me on social media, you know that my family recently spent some time in New York City. A good bloggy friend, Melissa from The Staten Island Family, invited my family to her son’s Bar Mitzvah. When she first told me that an invitation was heading my way, I was really excited and when it dawned on me that it fell during my kids April school vacation I got wicked excited. None of us have ever attended a Bar Mitzvah before and I thought it would be a wonderful thing for my family to experience. And it was even more wonderful than I could have imagined. Her son impressed the hell out of us with all the Hebrew passages he read (there were a lot) and a speech he gave, which was far beyond his years.
Since it was school vacation week, I wanted to extend our trip by a few days and make the most of our visit. My husband and I go down to NYC a few times a year, but don’t usually take the kids with us. Since they came with us this time, we wanted to make sure they had an amazing time. I decided to go to my trusted resource, TripAdvisor, to see what we should do while we we there.
Did you know that you can book activities and experiences directly through TripAdvisor? It’s super convenient to be able to look through all the things they offer to do in the city you’re traveling to, read reviews while you’re there AND book whatever catches your eye – all in one spot. I mean, you are going to TripAdvisor to look at the reviews anyways, so why not take it one step further and book your experiences right on their site. It’s easy peasy and that way your itinerary will be set before you even leave for your trip (or staycation). Continue reading »
