Best pumpkin patches in Rhode Island
458 Greenville Road North Smithfield, RI 02917
*Get the apple cider it is AMAZING
Entrance on Plainfield Pike across from Pippin Orchard Road, Johnston, RI 02919
50 Swan Rd, Smithfield, RI 02917
2150 Scituate Ave, Hope, RI 02831
495 Sumner Brown Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864
522 Gardner Rd, Richmond, RI 02892
Beautiful Fall Foliage in Rhode Island | Newport & Providence.
When you think of states to travel to on the East Coast the see fall foliage most people look over Rhode Island, but Rhode Island has some of the most beautiful fall foliage. I am breaking down the best towns to visit, where to go and when!
Newport, RI
Best time to visit:
Middle peak (mid-October to late October)
Points of interest in Newport:
Providence, RI
Best time to visit:
Early peak (early October to mid-October)
Points of interest in Providence:
Other Towns in Rhode Island to visit
Bristol
Jamestown
Neighborhoods worth Exploring in Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston has some very charming neighborhoods Mr. K and I really enjoyed going around and exploring the area. I have to say that while NYC has charming locations Boston is way more “Hilly” so leave your heels in the car! The neighborhoods also have a lot more old cobble streets that give the city that extra charm. Beware that street parking is extremely hard to come by, so expect to spend time searching or bouncing around parking garages.
Beacon Hill
South end
Back Bay
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Boston, Massachusetts | According to a New York Foodie!
Truth be told I was not WOWED by Bostons food scene. Maybe I am spoiled from living in NY or my travels to Italy, but either way these spots were good enough to make the cut!
Type of food: Seafood
What to order: Clam Chowder, Calamari, and Lobster Roll! Oh and do not skip out on the cornbread they give you when seated, it’s delicious! They also make really good cocktails.
Type of food: Cafe, American
What to order: If you go for brunch order the Meze Breakfast or the Greek style Pancakes. If you are going during autumn give their Winter Squash Spice Latte a try.
Type of food: Seafood
What to order: Start with the Petite Seafood Tower, then the warm spicy king crab roll, order a Fried Lobster & Waffles and do not forget to try a Spiced Apple cocktail!
Type of food: Asian
What to order: Start out with Steamed Vegetable dumplings and Steamed Traditional Beef with Minced Onion buns. Go for the Scallion Lo Mein and Mike's Hot Honey Chicken Wings.
Type of food: Desert
What to order: Hot Chocolate! This location is known for there delicious hot coco. If you like a more bitter and rich coco opt for the dark chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth go for the milk chocolate! As for treats you can not go wrong with any of their deserts, but I really enjoyed their famous chocolate chip cookie.
*Note if you want a cute photo here inside, they are not providing their usual glassware and plating during COVID. Everything comes in paper cups and paper bags instead.
Salem spots not worth spending your time or $$$ at!
The Ouija Board museum. I wanted to LOVE this museum , but it was totally lacking in character and resources. First off it was $10 per a person to go into a room that is the size of a NYC closet and if you are familiar with NYC you get me drift on how small this place was. They had really away boards, but no real information on them. They also did not have an Ouija Board expert or someone who could explain the history of the spooky board game. like I said I wanted to love this museum, but it totally fell flat. Do yourself a favor and save yourself $10 to spend at another location.
The Wand Shop. While you do feel like you are transported into Harry Potter for a moment, it is kind of pointless. Unless you want a wand for your magical spells or to feel like you stepped into a shop in Diagon Alley.
Hocus Pocus Tours! There really isn’t a need to go on a hocus pocus tour unless you are a complete diehard fan of the cult classic. You can find all of the popular film locations here in my E-Book! This way you can go at your convenience and stay as long as you like.
How to Break from the Crowds During Spooky Season in Salem
While Salem is packed with crowds during spooky szn. You can break away from the crowds and explore surrounding areas that are just as rich with history and spooky of course!
Head to Marblehead, MA just 10mins outside of Salem for a bite and some beautiful views. Mr. K and I stopped by Maria's Gourmet for some homemade empanadas. We took our lunch by the harbor to enjoy the beautiful view and our yummy food!
Marblehead is also home to the famous cemetery scene in Hocus Pocus. You know the one where Max gets his nickname “Hollywood” from classmate and bully “ICE”.
Other Towns worth seeing:
Beverly, MA
Newburyport, MA
Rockport, MA
Haunted locations in Salem
Salem is filled with Haunted locations, but the below are the some spooky spots you can visit while you are in Salem to check out the paranormal activity for yourself!
Turner’s Seafood | 43 Church Street Salem MA 01970: This historic location has housed restaurants for years. The dining landmark is incredibly historic. It is said that Alexander Graham Bell first revealed his plans for the telephone here. The location is also believed to be the former home of Bridget Bishop, the first lady executed for witchcraft in the 1692 witch trials. Locals believe her residual energy still lingers. Visitors have reported seeing a woman in a long white gown floating above the Lyceum building’s main staircase. Her image has been seen in windows and mirrors throughout the building.
Wicked Good Books | 215 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970 It is said that in this Salem bookstore that the books are flying off the shelves—literally! Back in 2017 during the construction work on main street in Salem, human remains were found beneath the building. Apparently, the underground tunnel system connected to an underground warehouse in Derby Square is where two runaway slaves are believed to be entombed. The previous owner unaware of this fact knew he had two spirits in his book store. from hearing giggling to even having an on-going game with them. He would put out books and they would throw them off the shelves for him to pick. After hearing the news he realized the two girls entombed where the girls in his basement and made a child section down there for them to enjoy.
Hawthorne Hotel | 18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA 01970
The hotel was built in 1923, it’s believed that the hotel is built on the site of an apple orchard that was owned by Bridget Bishop, the first victim of the Salem Witch Trials. Guests have often reported smelling apples around the hotel as well as seeing an apparition of a woman roaming the halls.vThe most haunted room is believed to be room # 612. Many guests have reported seeing the figure of a woman standing outside the door. Room 325 is also considered to be a paranormal hotspots, with reports of faucets turning on by themselves, lights flickering, and the sound of a baby crying.
Cinema Salem | 1 E India Square Mall, Salem, MA 01970
Employees who work at the cinema say that ghosts regularly haunt the establishment. When it comes to the identity of the spirits, that information is unknown, but the sightings were so rampant that paranormal investigators and psychics were brought in to take a look! Employees have said to witness a man in black sitting in theater 3. They say he is seen wearing Victorian era clothing, with a top hat and coattails.
Ropes Mansion | 318 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
AKA the home of Allison in Hocus Pocus! Apparently Ropes Mansion is thought to be the most haunted place in all of Salem. The story goes that tuberculosis look the lives of the Ropes family except for Abigail and Elizabeth. Elizabeth eventual feel ill to tuberculosis leaving Abigail as the only person left in the family to care for her. Elizabeth eventually succumb to the disease leaving Abigail devastated. The loss of her family drove her to insanity, Abigail would spend the rest of her life locked away inside the family mansion. Until her untimely death years later when her dress caught fire while tending to the fire. It is said that her husband was so used to hearing her scream in despair, that he paid no mind to her screams.
Boston Stay Recommendations
Fairmont Copley Plaza
|
138 St James Ave, Boston, MA 02116
Make yourself at home while staying at Fairmont Copley Plaza. Centrally located in Boston, steps from Copley Square. Be sure to take in the view from a rooftop terrace!
XV Beacon Hotel |
15 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
When you Approach XV Beacon Hotel from the cobbled, gas-lit streets of its Beacon Hill neighborhood, the past becomes tangibly present. This beautiful hotel is perfectly situated in a residential enclave one block north of the Boston Common.
The Envoy Hotel, Autograph Collection |
70 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
Located in the newly emerging Innovation District. This Four-Diamond rated hotel has bold interiors and easy style which is a beautiful contrast to the city’s New England traditions.
Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel |
90 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
A luxurious boutique hotel located in downtown Boston, capturing the vitality of Boston’s modern renaissance. When you step outside you will find yourself at the crossroads of three distinct: Beacon Hill, Downtown Crossing and the Financial District.
Revere Hotel Boston Common |
200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116
Centrally located in Boston, within a 5-minute walk of Charles Playhouse and Boch Center.
5 things you need to know before visiting Salem Massachusetts | 2020 Edition
Visiting Salem is on a lot of peoples bucket list especially going during spooky season. Here are a few things you should know before heading there.
First and far most you need at least 2 days and 1 night to really see everything Salem has to offer. Use your first day to go on tours and learn the history of Salem. Day two you can enjoy yourself and explore the locations you learned about the day before.
IMPORTANT: You do not need to stay in Salem. Boston is only 30 minutes away and is an affordable option. When traveling to Salem in October you are looking at $350 and up per a night where if you opt for Boston you can sang a nice hotel for around $150 a night.
Trust me, you need a reservations for EVERYTHING! Book all of your tours and meals in advance. Things get a bit crazy in Salem and the crowds are intense. I knew well in advance that I wanted to go on a ghost tour, but I waited to book it since you know “2020”, big mistake! I almost missed out on the tour due to everything being booked up far in advance. Another mistake was not making lunch and dinner reservations in advance. Mr. K and I also got a bit hungry when we couldn’t get into a diner for lunch on day 1. Take some time the night before or in the morning to plan out your day and to make your dining reservations.
I highly recommend booking your tours for the first day that you are in Salem. This way you can check out all of the things you learn aka haunted locations and or Salem facts the next day. Mr. K and I really enjoyed our ghost tour and learning about the spooky things that happen around town. We only wish that we went on our first day instead of our last day to go to the haunted shops and see the paranormal activity for ourselves!
Try and go on a week day. If you go on a weekend it will be jam packed with people and the closer you get to Halloween or a holiday like Columbus day where schools are closed you will be in for massive crowds. If you do not mind waiting in line to get into shops, museums and restaurants it’s no big deal, but if you are like me and want to be there during the Halloween season, but not into waiting try going on an “off” day! PS all shops, museums and tours are limited in 2020 due to COVID regulations.