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End-of-summer travel destinations

For sun worshippers and beach lovers who don’t go weak at the knees at the words ‘pumpkin spice latte’, the end of August always seems to arrive too soon. But if you still can’t quite bring yourself to dig out your knitwear from the wardrobe, you can easily take off to somewhere close-by and find a bit of much-needed sunshine and warmth. Here are eight easy trips for those who are just not ready to say goodbye to summer.

1. Napa Valley, California

Photo: Lukasz Szwa/Shutterstock

With summer winding down, a weekend out in the vineyards during harvest season might help to ease more gently into fall weather. There’s plenty to see and do at this time, aside from sampling significant quantities of wine. You can visit the vineyards to observe the busy harvest activities such as gathering the grapes and crushing the fruit. Those who want a bird’s eye view can experience a hot-air balloon ride over the beautiful landscape, or you can hop aboard the vintage Napa Valley Wine Train. Plus, most importantly, the weather is warm enough for al fresco dining and many wineries have picnic areas.

2. Nashville, Tennessee

Photo: Music City Food and Wine Festival/Facebook

September in Nashville sees plenty of festival action to convince you that outdoor party season isn’t over. The AMERICANAFEST, from September 11-16, offers six days of 500 live performances featuring folk, country, blues and soul music. On an educational note, they also have seminars, panels and day-time performances with artists, managers, promoters and all kinds of other music industry professionals. From September 14-16, you can attend the Music City Food + Wine Festival which celebrates the best of local produce from hot chicken to whiskey.

3. San Diego, California

Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock

Comfortable mid-70s daytime temperatures mean San Diego welcomes those looking to soak up a little more warmth outside before going into winter hibernation. Revitalise yourself in the sunshine by jogging or cycling the path along Pacific Beach. For livelier evenings head to KAABOO Del Mar festival, taking place from September 14-16, which is featuring the Foo Fighters and Imagine Dragons, as well as advertising ‘delicious food and intriguing cocktails’.

4. Sedona, Arizona

Photo: LeStudio/Shutterstock

September and October are some of the best months to visit a high elevation desert area, such as Sedona. Scorching summer temperatures have dropped to the more manageable mid- to high-70s, as such, it’s an ideal time to hike the Oak Creek Canyon or Airport Mesa Loop for some unforgettable views of the town below. Eliminate the panic of imminent cold weather by spending time at sunset watching the red sandstone formations of Sedona national Park glow brilliantly in the evening light.

5. Kona, Hawaii

Photo: Susanne Pommer/Shutterstock

Big Island’s Kona region will satisfy those in denial that bikini season is drawing to a close. With daytime temperatures in the 80s, activities such as snorkeling, sailing, and surfing are still on the agenda. Aside from beaches, the island has rainforests, volcanoes (splash out on a helicopter ride to see Kilauea’s fiery lava flows from above) and snowy mountains for those looking for a little diversity. Historical interests can also be satisfied by visiting the location when Captain Cook landed on the island in 1778, and the Hulihee Palace, which was once the home of Hawaiian royalty and is now a museum.

6. Moab, Utah

Photo: anthony heflin/Shutterstock

Those for whom summer weather means adventuring outdoors, extreme sports, and getting lost in nature should look to Moab for a continuation of activities in late September and October. With temperatures in the mid-70s, mountain bikers and hikers can explore the many trails in Canyonlands and Arches National Park, and adventurers can go rafting on the Colorado River, horse riding, or canyoneering. The vast desert with its surreal red landscape is the perfect late summer playground.

7. Riviera Maya, Mexico

Photo: Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock

If you’re in serious need of heat, the Riviera Maya might be your answer. September is one of the hottest months to visit, with temperatures averaging 80-85°F. Although it’s the rainy season (and do watch out for hurricanes) you’ll still get enough sunshine to spend time at beaches like Playa del Carmen and Cancun. With fewer visitors in this period, you can enjoy the white sands and clear waters of Mexico’s beaches in relative peace.

8. Havana, Cuba

Photo: YU_M/Shutterstock

Temperatures in the mid-80s, low numbers of tourists, and cheap flight and accommodation deals make Cuba attractive in September despite the increased rainfall. Along the waterfront, you can walk the promenade El Malecon, or hit Playas del Este beaches. And if it does rain, while away a pleasant few hours in a salsa club or a museum, for example, Finca Vigia, the former house of writer Ernest Hemingway.


More like this: The 5 best fall getaways from New York City

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Best hotel check-ins

The hotel check-in desk may soon be going the way of phone books and fax machines. That is to say, people born after 2000 may not even know what it is. As big chains like SPG and Hilton move toward app-based check-in for their preferred guests, and smaller hotels move toward online check-in, it may only be a matter of time before the friendly exchange of credit card and ID for a room key is but a fond and distant memory. But that doesn’t mean hotels have completely abandoned the process of checking in with people. Or using it as an opportunity to do something creative in welcoming its guests. From a private lounge in the Maldives to free beer in Denver, here are eight hotel check-ins that are an integral part of the hospitality experience.

1. The Assemblage – New York City

Photo: The Assemblage

The folks behind this wellness-centric hotel know that every block walked in New York City increases your stress level immeasurably. That’s why the entrance to this hotel is dressed in a calming green moss, pumped full of a soft, pine scent that immediately makes you forget the cacophony of odors one gets strolling the Big Apple. The tunnel relaxes guests further with a custom-made Gamelatron gong, where after pressing a button, they are soothed by the slow, vibrating sounds. By the time they arrive at the front desk, guests are about as de-stressed as one can get in New York, and are invited to set their intentions for the day with a bowl of water and dried flowers.

2. Getaway – New York, Washington, DC, Boston

Photo: Getaway

These tiny cabins set out in big city-adjacent wilderness build the excitement of a mysterious weekend escape by never divulging the exact location of a guest’s cabin until the week of departure. So, checking in early is impossible. Once the guest receives directions in a witty, celebratory email they’re invited to check in, then given a Spotify playlist curated to where they’re going and the time of year. For road trips, this style of check-in sets the energy for the entire vacation, creating a memorable experience before guests even arrive.

3. Palazzina Grassi – Venice, Italy

Photo: Palazzina Grassi

Nothing feels more Venetian than riding a boat through the Grand Canal on a warm summer evening. So, it seems only fitting place to check into this restored 16th-century palace full of rich mahogany wood and Murano tile while still out on the water. Guests at the 26-room Palazzina Grassi can have this experience aboard the hotel’s 1962 Celli boat, as they’re driven to a private dock on the canal. Or, if they’d rather take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Venice in the summer, they can check in at the hotel’s bar, or even once they get to their room.

4. Carpe Diem – Santorini, Greece

Photo: Carpe Diem

Upon arriving in the Greek islands, you’ll undoubtedly want to waste no time getting your clothes off and getting outside. The people at the Carpe Diem hotel understand this and help you make the most of the Mediterranean sunshine by putting their check-in desk right at the pool. So you can enjoy your first glass of Greek wine while you check into your room at the pool bar/check-in desk, and not even bother unpacking until you’re at least two shades darker.

5. Moxy Chicago Downtown – Chicago

Photo: Moxy Hotels

Though there’s no swimming pool involved, Moxy in downtown Chicago runs its entire check-in process through its swanky upstairs bar. As you might imagine, this causes a great deal of confusion when people arrive and see nowhere to get their key. “People ask where the reception area is,” Moxy Captain Rob Mastro told us. “And I bring them up to the bar, and they say, ‘I didn’t ask for the bar, I asked for the reception area.’” Once they get a welcome cocktail with their keys, however, the confusion goes away.

6. W Retreat and Spa – The Maldives

Photo: W Maldives

Not that anything at a luxury Maldives resort would be short of first class, but this resort’s check-in process might be the finest we’ve seen. From arrival at Male International Airport, guests are whisked in a private van to a W Lounge where they can eat, drink, relax and even shower, all while W staffers busily check them in. By the time the private seaplane arrives for the 25-minute flight to W’s private island, their villas are all set up, and there’s no need to do anything but get the vacation started.

7. The Source Hotel and Market Hall – Denver

Photo: The Source/Facebook

Of the great many things to do in Denver, drinking a cold craft beer is chief among them. This requisite part of any trip to the mile-high city gets checked off your list almost immediately upon check-in at the brand new Source Hotel, where New Belgium Brewing has set up a brewery right in the lobby. You won’t even need to carve out time to visit it either, as a freshly-brewed beer is handed to you as soon as you reach the front desk.

8. Riad AnaYela – Marrakesh, Morocco

Photo: Anayela

In order to create a truly immersive experience inside the centuries-old walls of Marrakech’s medina, the owners of this restored riad have eliminated the check-in process completely, asking guests to check-in online before they actually arrive. This way they don’t have to waste a minute after riding in a private shuttle from the airport to the walls of the old city, where they walk five minutes through bustling, narrow streets filled with merchants and savory smells to the hotel. There they can drop their luggage and continue their adventure, without having to stop to pick up a key.


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Side effects of living in Philly

Just like taking a new medicine, being immersed in Philly 24 hours a day can cause side effects. Thankfully, for Philadelphians, the results will not have a negative impact on your health. In fact, they generally serve to make you an even better version of yourself. Here are seven side effects of living in Philadelphia.

1. You’ll start talking very, very fast.

It may not be used car-salesman fast, but we have lots to say in Philly, so we pack our speaking time to the max. We have no idea of what a fast talkers we are until we step out of town and realize everybody else’s leisurely drawl is killing us.

2. You’ll adopt a permanent resting bitch face.

“I’m not angry, I’m from Philly.” It’s a popular t-shirt slogan and it’s an absolute truth. That scowl you wear doesn’t mean you’re unhappy. It means you’ve lived in Philly for a while.

3. Sports Mania will become an essential part of your life.

You have no problem calling WIP to suggest that Gabe Kapler get his team in shape because it’s been ten years since a World Series win and it’s time for another ring.

4. You are a beer connoisseur.

In a city that stops to officially celebrate beer for 10 days each summer (and unofficially the remaining 51 weeks of the year), there’s little choice but to appreciate beer. And it’s hard not to when you’re surrounded by some of the best there is: Yards, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Victory, and Dogfish Head.

5. Water is “wudder”.

Your pronunciation of the word “water” suddenly is a bit muddled. Soon, you realize you must pause to clearly enunciate the word. Your mind will become a battlefield of “water” versus “wudder.” Fortunately, you’re in Philly, so you’re okay no matter the victor.

6. And you start dropping in “jawn”.

“Jawn” is a word that you soon forget is slang and work into daily conversations. It is only after the confusion that ensues after dropping the word into an exchange with out-of-towners that you remember that not everyone understands this jawn.

7. You forget all about parking laws.

Our narrow streets were not made with cars in mind, so finding a parking spot is a perennial stressor. It’s only natural that after a while, you convince yourself that any available space on the road can be transformed into a workable spot. Unfortunately, the PPA may not agree with you.

More like this: 13 things you’ll get addicted to living in Philadelphia

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Cleanliness in hotels

No matter which type of accommodation you choose when you travel, odds are high that you don’t want to be sleeping in someone else’s muck. Predicting how clean your lodging will be, however, often proves to be quite a challenge. The Sleep Judge surveyed more than 1,000 traveling Americans to learn their thoughts on topics like accommodation cleanliness, how frequently they consider star ratings in choosing a place to stay, and certain things that stuck out the most to them in their room. The results may come as a surprise, especially if you’re the type who frequently burrows in deep under the covers in hotel rooms. Airbnbs are, on average, far cleaner than even luxury hotel rooms.

Photo: The Sleep Judge

Perhaps Airbnb guests show more respect simply because they’re staying in someone else’s home, leading them to be more conscious of grime left behind. 75 percent have found nothing unclean about their Airbnb, compared with 57 percent of hotel stays. At top tier-price points, Airbnb won the cleanliness battle hands down. 91 percent spotless room rentals priced over $300, whereas only 69 percent of hotel guests had the same experience.

Photo: The Sleep Judge

When it came to specific items inside the room, Airbnb came out on top once again. Hotel guests are far pickier. They request new linens and toiletries more often and are more likely to flat out refuse to use in-room amenities such as coffee pots or glassware. Hair seems almost unavoidable no matter where you stay. 12% of respondents claimed they found ‘sexual fluids’ in the room, compared with only 6% of Airbnb guests. There was one point of equality between the battling behemoths of lodging, however, and it is quite a big one. In both hotels and Airbnbs, one in five respondents said they have requested to change rooms after finding their assigned quarters far too dirty for their liking.

H/T The Sleep Judge

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Why you need to hike the Wind River Range in Wyoming

When most people think of backpacking in the West, their minds drift to bucket-list destinations like Colorado’s iconic 14ers, John Muir’s Sierra, the Pacific Crest Trail, or the jagged North Cascades in Washington. Very few have heard of the Wind Rivers in Wyoming — and those who have like it that way. Here’s what they’re missing.

Why the Winds?

Photo: Steve Price/Shutterstock

The Winds stretch for over 100 miles along the Continental Divide, just southeast of much more popular places like Yellowstone and the Tetons. They are a truly wild and rugged wilderness, protected by two National Forests and the Wind River Reservation. All told, the range has more than 30 peaks higher than 13,000 feet and over 130 glaciers dispersed across three-quarters of a million acres of public land. It’s a backpackers’ playground. There are nearly endless reasons to visit this part of Wyoming. Solitude is ample, trips will push your limits and challenge your skills, and the range is downright gorgeous. Tall granite spires, serene lakes, and endless wildflowers create picturesque views around every corner. The wildlife is abundant — including the notorious mosquito swarms.

What’s the best route to hike?

Photo: Jeremy Christensen/Shutterstock

There are two well-trodden zones in the Winds — Cirque de Towers and Titcomb Basin — for good reason. While most of the range is objectively beautiful, these two areas seem to be pulled from another world. I chose a 25-mile, three-day loop through the Cirque after reading a friend’s trip report about the area, and I was anything but disappointed.

The route begins at Big Sandy Trailhead, which takes an hour and a half of driving on bumpy dirt roads to reach. From there, the trail is easy to follow, heading six miles at a low incline to Big Sandy Lake. The views here are serene and only get better as you climb the steep Jackson Pass into the Cirque de Towers. All told, the first day is roughly 10 miles, depending on where you camp in the Cirque.

The next day you’ll head off-trail, making your way over Texas Pass using topo maps and following cairns. Depending on the season, you’ll experience some boulder hopping, snow-field crossings, or both. On the far side of the pass, the descent into Shadow Lake is relatively straightforward. Shadow is scenic and a great place to camp your second night. The last day is a rolling nine miles back to where you started, passing a few lakes with a steep descent at the end. The views never seem to end all the way back to the car.

What about weather and bugs?

Photo: Chuck Ledgerwood/Shutterstock

Prepare for anything and everything. The Winds are at a higher elevation than many other ranges in the west and, accordingly, winter sometimes sticks around as late as May and returns as early as October. The other four months are known for harsh mosquitos and thunderstorms. At night, it’s likely to drop to below freezing; I woke up to frost on the ground during my trip in late summer. You’re also likely to encounter bugs and rain at points throughout your journey. I spent a couple hours under a large conifer tree one afternoon waiting out a big storm. It’s all part of the adventure.

Are their permits or regulations?

Photo: Tom Grundy/Shutterstock

Largely due to the low visitation, there are no permits required to backpack in the Winds. The key rules to follow are basic Leave No Trace principles. The Forest Service asks that you travel in groups of 15 or fewer, stay on the trails, and don’t camp within 200 feet of water sources. In general, leave things how you found them.

Where should I stop and explore?

Photo: Tobin Akehurst/Shutterstock

From this basic loop, there are many side days trips that one could make. Deep Lake is a popular option with a developed trail from Big Sandy and big cliff walls. Spending extra days in the Cirque to climb some of the classics like Pingora is also common. For more ambitious hikers, a northern expansion of the loop (adding two-plus days to the route) to see Buffalo Head and Washakie Pass is a great twist.

What should I pack?

Photo: Agustina Camilion/Shutterstock

This could easily be its own article. Here’s the shortlist of gear that’ll help you enjoy your hike a little bit more. The Osprey Atmos or similar pack is what you’ll want to have on your back, perfect for a long weekend. It’s comfortable and snug, which is especially helpful for off-trail sections. I set up an MSR Hubba Hubba NX, one of the lightest tents on the market. It sets up fast, stays upright in storms, and has enough space for three and a dog. I slept in a Mountain Hardwear Ratio 32, a great sleeping bag for use during summer and the fringe seasons. You’ll want to have a campfire stove that can simmer and be easily repaired in the backcountry. The MSR Dragonfly is a reliable choice; be sure to have an extra butane tank with you. Key pieces of apparel include a Mountain Hardwear Ozonic Shell, Kor Strata Hoody, and AP Pants. All three are versatile and durable, making them great for the high country.


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Celebrate International Bacon Day

There’s just something about the sizzle of bacon in the morning. On September 1, that sizzle should be heard all day long, though, because it’s International Bacon Day — not to be confused with plain old Bacon Day, which started in 1997 and doesn’t happen until December 30. International Bacon Day is held on the Saturday before Labor Day every year, and it’s a readymade excuse to revolve an entire calendar day around everyone’s favorite cut of pork.

If you’re like any other bacon lover in the US and around the world, you already know the ins and outs of making bacon for yourself. Take things up a notch this year. Here are five things to do on International Bacon Day that are better than just eating bacon at home.

1. Get boozy with your bacon.

Photo: TAP WhiskyFacebook

Yes, bacon goes with everything. Anyone who had their doubts about that lost those doubts the first time they tried bacon ice cream. But the original bacon pairing is anything drizzled with maple syrup. After that, whiskey comes in at number two for the best bacon pairings. Why not combine those two and then take things to the natural next step by eating bacon with maple whiskey? TAP 357 is a Canadian rye whisky that’s blended with pure maple syrup tapped in early spring. International Bacon Day is a full day of bacon, so act accordingly with treats available from morning to night. And if you have any fears about things like cholesterol or general health, well, your taste buds will convince your other organs that one day of indulgence won’t kill you.

2. Celebrate like a vegan.

Photo: Outstanding Foods/Facebook

International Bacon Day is probably the last day that you’d think would cater to vegetarians or vegans. This is a day about inclusion, though, not exclusion, and people can still get in on all that bacon celebration without eating actual pork. The plant-based food company Outstanding Foods released PIG OUT Bacon Chips in 2018, and despite the name, there is exactly zero percent animal involved. Dave Anderson, the chef who led product development at the company that brought everyone the meatless Beyond Burger, worked on the recipe. Now you have no excuse to not invite your plant-diet friends to your Bacon Day party.

3. Schedule a visit to the Schweine Museum.

Photo: SchweineMuseum Stuttgart/Facebook

Without pigs, there would be no bacon. No one celebrates pigs like the Schweine Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. It bills itself as “the largest swine museum in the world” with more than 50,000 exhibits in 29 theme rooms. Plus, there’s a pork-focused restaurant and, this being Germany, a large beer garden. If bringing home the bacon with an endless number of pig facts is on your agenda, which it should be, then get to Stuttgart — stat.

4. Go to a restaurant that’s all bacon, all the time.

Photo: BarBacon/Facebook

Bacon isn’t just for the home cook. There’s a good chance that there’s a bacon-focused restaurant near you that does it up a little more than your local diner. Naturally, there are a few standouts. In Brooklyn, there’s Belly, an upscale restaurant that debuted the world’s first bacon omakase menu. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, omakase is a meal consisting solely of dishes the chef wants to serve — at Belly, that means lots of various takes on bacon. Also in New York City, there’s BarBacon, a place that’s so devoted to the good stuff that it serves bacon as a side to its bacon sandwich. On the West Coast, there’s San Francisco’s Bacon Bacon. If you want to really challenge your bacon-loving self, eat a one-pound BLT at Tony’s I-75 Restaurant in Birch Run, Michigan.

5. Eat at all of the Bacon World Championship winners locations.

Photo: Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock

This might seem a little ambitious, but that’s what these international holidays are for: setting goals you never knew you wanted to make. The Bacon World Championship, which will be held from November 7 to 11 in Orange Beach, Alabama, makes setting ridiculous bacon goals easy. The competition pits 40 chefs against each other to create the best bacon dish. Even though there’s still some time before the actual competition, you can get in the Bacon World Championship mood right now by checking out the 2018 competitors. If eating is more your thing, which is probably the case, visit the 2017 winners page and start mapping out your own Bacon World Championship tour.


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Avocado weight-loss study

Baby boomers and other older generations love to harp on millennials for not falling in line with the traditional nine-to-five life track. Millennials, of course, retort the claim and site their driving pursuit of passion and entrepreneurial spirit as their reason for doing things differently. But a new job title, developed by a collection of top US universities, might finally catch the attention of the avocado-toast generation. Granted, the gig is only temporary, and they won’t have to stray too far from their norm.

Researchers from Loma Linda University, Penn State University, Tufts University, and the University of California Los Angeles are conducting a study on whether or not avocados can promote weight loss. Each university is recruiting 250 participants to take part in the study. If you are fortunate enough to be accepted, you’ll earn a $300 stipend following completion.

Participants in the study have two options: either eat one avocado per day for six months straight or only eat a total of two avocados throughout the same period. “The study will examine whether eating one avocado per day reduces visceral adipose fat in the abdomen,” said Dr. Joan Sabaté, Director of the Center for Nutrition, Lifestyle and Disease Prevention at LLU in a post on the university’s website.

In order to qualify, you must meet a set of strict requirements. First, you must be 25 years of age or older and be willing to either eat one avocado per day for six months or just two avocados per month for the same period. Men must measure at least 40 inches around the waist and females must measure at least 35 inches around the waist prior to the start of the study. If this sounds like the gig of your dreams, you can apply here.

H/T: Insider

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Robot to protect Great Barrier Reef

With a name like RangerBot, you might think this bright yellow autonomous robot was built to patrol the highways or wrangle those who fail to properly extinguish a campfire. But these babies are built to swim — and their mission lies just off northeast coast of Australia. The Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef ecosystem on the planet, is under ever-increasing threat from global warming and ocean pollution, as well as the poisonous crown-of-thorns starfish, known as COTS for short.

COTS are far from the cute, harmless five-legged starfish people are accustomed to seeing on visits to the beach. These 20-legged stars pose a consistent danger to the weakened reef as they munch on the coral and inject venom into the living organism. They feed on the coral and kill it in the process, and there are now millions of COTS within the ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef following massive population growth since 2010. Part of the problem stems from human-driven overfishing of the COTS’ few predators, all but ensuring they roam free in the coral’s depths.

Photo: Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock

Enter RangerBot, a hunting machine developed over the past decade by roboticist Matthew Dunbabin with the Queensland University of Technology. After identifying a COTS, the machine approaches and injects bile salts that attack the immune system of the starfish, typically killing it in fewer than 20 hours.

The hope is that these bots will soon patrol the reef and knock down the population of harmful starfish, part of Australia’s ongoing effort to protect this coastal treasure.

H/T: Smithsonian Mag

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Map of the top-rated film by country

Now and then, a movie sets the tone for how we perceive a country. In 2001, for example, we saw France through the quirky story of Amélie, and we saw Iceland through the dramatic lens of A Dancer in the Dark in 2000. Now, you can take in every country in the world through the top-rated film there, thanks to a new map from Vouchercloud.

The map is based on IMDB ratings and notes the best movie from each country (according to the viewing public) based on the film either being produced, filmed, or in some way linked to that part of the world.

The display is quite thorough with data for all but about fifty countries worldwide. There are more than a few surprises and standouts on the map, starting right here in the United States. The Shawshank Redemption is the highest-rated film on IMDB that was produced in the United States, with an average rating of 9.3 (out of 9.9) from nearly two million voters.

Photo: Vouchercloud

Zoom in here.

A few films produced in more than one country took top honors across borders. The Message is the top-rated film for both Egypt and Libya, and The Pirates of Somalia holds the title in Somalia, as well as Sudan. The rankings suggest that the most popular film genre across the world is drama — the defining characteristic of the top-rated film in more than 25 countries. Biographies, comedies, and adventure flicks are also quite popular. If you don’t see your favorite film listed, it doesn’t appear to be a signal of bad taste — many of those on the map are far from blockbusters.


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Best fall getaways from NYC

Just because summer’s coming to a close doesn’t mean you have to give in to post-summer blues. There’s still plenty of things to do and places to see. Whether you’re a New Yorker searching for an autumnal escape or a visitor looking to experience more of the wider New York State area, here’s our list of the five best fall getaways from New York City — and the best part: all the locations are just a Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North, Amtrak, train, or bus ride away.

1. Sleepy Hollow, New York

Photo: Bri_Adventures/Shutterstock

We go nuts for Halloween in the US. So, it goes without saying that a town that’s the setting for Washington Irving’s novel The Legend of Sleepy Hollow embraces its true calling and spooky nature with fervor. Maybe it’s the orange, red, and brown foliage found all over; the scarecrows tied around every lamppost; or the pumpkins and hay bales decorating sidewalks, storefronts, and stoops. But, spending a night or two in this part of the town of Mount Pleasant is a surefire way to immerse yourself in the spirit of Halloween. While you can visit anytime during the fall, visiting around Halloween allows you to experience the many holiday-specific events scheduled, such as after-dark cemetery tours where you can see the graves of figures like Irving himself and enter crypts; attend literary events like Edgar Allen Poe poetry and scary story readings; or test the limits of your bravery by going through Philipsburg Manor’s haunted house.

2. Hudson Valley, New York

Photo: Collective Retreats/Facebook

Sure, you could go camping whenever you want, but winter brings the biting cold, spring’s got the most potential for rain, and summer’s just too darn hot — not to mention the bugs. That’s why fall is such a perfect season to do anything outdoorsy in New York. Collective Retreats offers glamping for those looking to experience the great outdoors but aren’t quite keen on roughing it. The retreat is on Liberty Farms, an organic farm located in the town of Ghent. In the tents, you’ll find king or single beds with stylish 1,500-thread-count linens, an ensuite bathroom, wood-burning stoves, eco-friendly bath products, a private outdoor deck, and outlets to charge your devices. Besides operating as a farm, Liberty Farms works as an equestrian center where you can go riding. Other activities include fruit picking at nearby Love Apple Farm; perusing civil-service history at the Fireman’s Museum; and water sports like paddle boarding, river fly fishing, and sailing.

3. Saratoga Springs, New York

Photo: gmeland/Shutterstock

Saratoga Springs is known as either a place where the wealthy go to take a break from it all or a hub for horse racing. But the resort destination is actually affordable for the everyman, and there’s more to do than bet your money on the fastest thoroughbred. There’s the Paint and Sip Studio where a local artist leads classes on creating an original piece of art. For competitive folks, Glenville Sportsplex has miniature golf, go-kart racing, and batting cages. Keeping in line with its name, Saratoga Springs has over 20 natural mineral springs, some of which are naturally carbonated, and no two will have the same flavor. To test the theory for themselves, visitors are allowed to taste the waters at the public springs. Be sure to stop by the Saratoga Visitor Center for a map of the mineral springs to create your self-guided tasting tour.

4. Cooperstown, New York

Photo: This Is Cooperstown, NY/Facebook

Despite a population of just under 2,000, Cooperstown is still kicking. It’s home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which serves as the epicenter for all things baseball. There are exhibits about the sport’s history in the US and expansion into other countries, artifacts on display, and portraits of Hall of Famers like Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth. But Cooperstown is not only about sports; it’s also the proud host of the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, comprised of different producers that pay homage to the region’s long history of beverage making. Trailblazers and drinking enthusiasts alike will find something to love on this culinary tour, from Belgian-style beer at Brewery Ommegang to cider at Fly Creek Cider Mill, wine at Bear Pond Winery, and good ol’ ale at Butternuts Beer & Ale. Despite being a host, Cooperstown’s not one to be left out of the game with a brewing company of its own. Each partaking company allows visitors to enter the facilities and take a tour that showcases the production process and sample products.

5. Adirondacks, New York

Photo: The Wild Center/Facebook

The famed Adirondack Park covers six million acres, which makes up a fifth of New York State. It has prime spots for fall foliage viewing and a variety of hiking trails around the park and up the Adirondack Mountains. Perhaps one of the more well known is the Wild Walk, where visitors can walk along the forest’s treetops through bridges and pathways. On the Wild Walk, you’ll have a chance to suspend yourself on a roped web at the Spider’s Web, enter the trunk of 160-foot white pine tree, and go looking for bald eagles.

Since the Adirondacks is such an expansive area, it can be hard to figure out where to set up a home base. Any of the lake towns that make up the Tri-Lakes region (Tupper, Placid, and Saranac lakes) are good choices with long histories to back them up. But Tupper, with its easy access to the Wild Walk, incredible stargazing opportunities at the Adirondack Public Observatory, and swimming at Little Wolf Beach, has an edge. Lake George is a noteworthy option with its location near the Ausable Chasm, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks,” and its plentiful adventurous, adrenaline-pumping activities like via ferrata and rock climbing. Ticonderoga is also in the running with Fort Ticonderoga for history buffs, the set of the original Star Trek series for Trekkies and lovers of space, and the La Chute waterfall for those looking to get out on a boat.


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