Trip Advisor recommends these sites if you’re planning a trip to Vermont!
Hildene The Lincoln Family Home
Historic home of Robert Lincoln, only child of President and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood. The estate has beautiful gardens, restored 1903 wooden Pullman palace railcar, goat farm and cheesemaking facility, 12+ miles of walking trails, teaching greenhouse and cross-country skiing in winter.
The Shelburne Museum
Museum in Vermont that displays approximately 80,000 items of folk art and similar works.
Church Street Marketplace
Downtown Burlington Vermont’s award-winning open air mall is a hub of activity where you’ll find historical architecture, year-round festivals, street entertainers, music, over 100 places to shop and dine, and even quiet places to ponder.
Quechee Gorge
If you’re visiting Vermont, don’t miss Quechee Gorge, also known as the state’s “Grand Canyon.” The 165-foot gorge cuts through the Ottauquechee River and is the crown jewel of Quechee State Park. The park offers easy hiking trails on both sides of the gorge, and camping and kayaking are popular activities here too, making it an ideal destination for outdoor lovers. The best time to visit is during the fall when the foliage colors are at their peak. Be sure to visit the gift shop and the nearby Vermont Toy Museum, both of which are within walking distance from the park’s entrance.
Moss Glen Falls
With a short walk, you can enjoy a ravine with a waterfall.
In honor of Halloween this month, I found an article on scenicstates.com detailing the most haunted places in America. Today is Part 2.
4. Lizzie Borden House, (Fall River, Massachusetts)
What is now known as the Lizzie Borden House was owned by Andrew Borden from 1874 to 1892, when he and his second wife Abby Borden were found hacked to death. Andrew’s daughter from his first marriage Lizzie Borden was accused of committing the bloody crime but was eventually acquitted of this crime. As with the Villisca Ax Murders, this case remains unsolved to this day. Lizzie’s sister Emma never returned to the house, and neither did Lizzie (who bought a house nearby and named it Maplecroft). Today, the old Borden house is a museum and B&B in one; the most requested room to stay in is the room where Abby Borden was found. Through the years, guests and employees have witnessed strange activity in the house, such as sounds of footsteps, weeping, opening/closing doors, and whispers heard from vacant rooms. Be warned, they don’t do refunds if you can’t stay throughout the night, so buckle up!
5. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (Weston, West Virginia)
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, subsequently named Weston State Hospital in 1913, this asylum had been the home to thousands of mentally-ill patients from 1864 until its closure in 1994. At its peak in the 1950s, the facility housed over 2,400 patients (even if the place was only designed to accommodate 250). This overcrowding led to inhumane conditions, such as insufficient heat, lighting, and poor sanitation, leading to hundreds of deaths. Those who were “treated” didn’t fare much better; they were subjected to arcane methods of managing mental illness, such as hydrotherapy, lobotomies, electric shock, and for patients who can’t be “controlled,” locked up in cages. All this death, pain, and suffering perhaps contribute to the oppressive energy and paranormal activity reported by workers, guests, and the many paranormal experts and ghost hunters who have come to this building. Today, you can join a historical tour, which focuses on the history of the building, medical treatments, and the Kirkbride theory, and has no paranormal information. Or if you’re all about the paranormal, go on a guided paranormal tour or on an 8-hour overnight Ghost Hunt. Guests on Ghost Hunts are encouraged to bring their infrared video cameras, digital recorders, EMF meters, and the works.
6. RMS Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)
The Queen Mary started out as a grand ocean liner in 1936, carrying civilian passengers between Southampton, England, and New York City, New York. When World War II broke out, it was transformed into a troopship, transporting more than 810,000 military personnel across the Atlantic. Post-war, the Queen Mary resumed its passenger service that went on until 1967, when it was docked permanently in Long Beach, California, where it remains to this day. It is now a floating hotel and events venue. Guests can appreciate the Art Deco interior, the luxurious wood paneling and carvings, and unique art work and murals. Beneath this glamorous façade, though, lurks a shadowy supernatural presence, cementing its place as one of the most haunted places in America.
Haunted places in the ship include the drained first-class swimming pool, Hatch Door #13 (where a crewman was accidentally crushed to death), and the infamous Stateroom B340, whose mysterious occurrences began even before the Queen Mary became a hotel. Legend says that it was the site of an unsolved murder of a passenger in 1948. The strange happenings started after, including lights turning on and off, water running without anyone turning them on, and bed covers being pulled off. It was so bad they had to close it for decades but is now open for booking for the brave. In fact, when you go to their booking page, you can specifically book Stateroom B340. They also offer various themed daily and nightly tours, but schedule your visit around Halloween, when the ship transforms into Dark Harbor.
If you’re planning a visit to Rhode Island, Trip Advisor recommends these sites!
The Breakers
The Breakers is the grandest of Newport’s summer “cottages” and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial pre-eminence in the Gilded Age. It was commissioned in 1893 by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system and grandson of “Commodore” Cornelius Vanderbilt, who founded the family fortune. Richard Morris Hunt, one of the great architects of the Gilded Age, directed an international team of craftsmen and artisans to create a 70-room palazzo inspired by the 16th-century palaces of Genoa and Turin. The house was completed in 1895 and the family spent summers there. The Breakers was purchased from the heirs of Countess Széchenyi, Vanderbilt’s daughter, by The Preservation Society of Newport County in 1972. It is a National Historic Landmark and is toured by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Cliff Walk
Located near the back lawn of The Breakers and other historic mansions like Rough Point, this scenic 3.5-mile walk along Newport’s coastline connects the western end of Easton Beach to the eastern end of Bailey’s Beach. Stroll along the Cliff Walk to spot a variety of wildflowers and birds, and enjoy commanding views of Narragansett Bay.It’s mostly an easy walk, but watch out for the southern section, which can get slightly tricky along the rocky shore. Newport gets especially busy during summer weekends—plan your visit during spring or fall, or on weekdays for fewer crowds.
Newport Mansions
Get a glimpse into the lavish lives of the Gilded Age elite through this unique collection of historic house museums. The Preservation Society of Newport County owns 11 properties that date from the mid-18th century to the Gilded Age, including The Breakers — an icon of Newport — Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff. Seven of the houses are National Historic Landmarks.
Mohegan Bluffs
Two-hundred-foot cliffs with great views of the Atlantic.
In honor of Halloween this month, I found an article on scenicstates.com detailing the most haunted places in America.
1. Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
First opened in 1829, the Eastern State Penitentiary was the largest, most expensive public structure in the US.
It was designed to encourage separate confinement as a form of penitence, with the idea that time alone would inspire criminals toward spiritual reflection and eventually change.
The idea was that inmates would be alone in their cells but visited from time to time by prison guards and counselors.
In reality, the prison guards designed a variety of physical and psychological torture, such as dousing inmates outside with freezing water or placing them in “The Hole,” a pit dug below a cell block where they stay alone with no light, no human contact, and very little food.
The penitentiary ceased to be a prison in 1969 but reopened as a museum holding daytime and night tours, as well as a venue for a seven-week Halloween Festival.
Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, echoes, and laughter; seeing shadows on the walls just in one’s peripheral vision; feeling such dark, negative energy that it’s almost a blow.
Because of these reports over the decades, this penitentiary has been a favorite of paranormal experts.
2. Moon River Brewing Company (Savannah, Georgia)
The building where the Moon River Brewing Company is now located started out as the City Hotel in 1821. It was the first hotel in Savannah and the first branch of the USPS.
During the yellow fever outbreak in the 1870s, the building was used as a makeshift hospital, and people who died back then were said to be the source of many of the ghosts.
Known ghosts that haunt the building include the “Lady in White,” James Stark (a gambler who was killed in the building), “Mrs. Johnson,” and “Toby.”
Thus, this is known as one of the most haunted restaurants in America.
3. Villisca Ax Murder House (Villisca, Iowa)
The Villisca Ax Murder House was the site of an infamous massacre.
On the morning of June 10, 1912, the bodies of six members of the Moore family (four of them children aged under 12) and two Stillinger sisters (both of them aged under 12) were found bludgeoned to death.
Over the years, many possible suspects were investigated, with one of them, Rev. George Kelly being tried twice; the first trial ended with a hung jury while the second one ended with an acquittal.
The crime remains officially unsolved.
Perhaps because this case is unresolved, the spirits are said to still haunt the house, even after its renovation in the 1990s and its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
It remains one of the most haunted places in America.
Disembodied screams and giggles, a strange fog moving from room to room, and unexplained movements of things in the house are just some of the reported happenings in the house.
Experience them yourself by booking a daytime tour or an overnight stay, depending on your tolerance for possible encounters with the spirits.
Trip Advisor suggests these MUST-SEE places in North Carolina if you’re planning on visiting.
Biltmore Estate
This historic country estate in Asheville spans 8,000 acres and is centered on America’s largest private home, the Biltmore House. Besides touring the lavish Châteauesque-style mansion and admiring its architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens, you can also book a stay at the estate’s hotel, inn or cottages. Start the morning with a massage at the estate’s spa, go shopping at Antler Hill Village, tackle a hiking trail, and wind down with a meal and a glass of red at the restaurant and winery.
The North Carolina Arboretum
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
A 52-mile rail journey through valleys, inside winding tunnels and across spectacular gorges of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Battleship North Carolina
As you walk the decks of the NORTH CAROLINA, imagine yourself in the South Pacific during WWII searching the sky for enemy aircraft, anticipating what may happen next. Step aboard the most decorated US Battleship of WWII! Explore nine decks, crew’s quarters, gun turrets, and much more. Discover where history comes alive. Located at the junctions of highways 17, 76, 74, 421 on the Cape Fear River across from historic downtown Wilmington.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The Southeast’s largest natural history museum features dinosaurs, whale skeletons, live animals, walk-through dioramas, special exhibits, hands-on science education and accessible scientists. IMLS National Medal Finalist, 2014. General admission is free.
Today’s weird architecture is in Austin, Texas and involves over 60 tons of junk!
From NomadicMatt.com:
Paris has Notre Dame. London has Westminster Abbey. Moscow has St. Basil’s.
And Austin? We have the Cathedral of Junk!
Started in 1988 by Vince Hannemann, the Cathedral of Junk is an ever-evolving passion project involving over 60 tons of junk. Old bikes, appliances, hubcaps, TVs — you name it. They’re all cobbled together to form a massive “cathedral” that spans Vince’s entire back yard.
While he originally had to scavenge for junk to start his project, it wasn’t long before people were donating their old possessions to help him expand his “cathedral” — making it bigger and adding more rooms in the process.
A number of years ago the city of Austin, Texas, tried to shut it down, saying it was too much junk and a safety concern. (In truth, the neighbors thought it was an eyesore and complained to the city) So Vince and an army of volunteers pared down the structure and brought it up to code so the site could stay open.
Eventually, Vince decided enough was enough and started to take parts of the cathedral down. But not long after he changed his mind and the cathedral is now bigger than ever.
In a weird city like Austin, a massive cathedral made of junk located in someone’s suburban backyard seems oddly fitting. I spent most of my visit talking to Vince and asking questions (it doesn’t take long to explore the Cathedral). But I also explored and took in this quirky architectural feat.
During my visit I found out that a lot of people come here with their kids; many were running all over the place and having a merry time playing make-believe. I discovered out that this place is really popular with locals because your kids will stay occupied for an hour or two. If you’re in Austin with your family, come here. Your kids will love it.
And if you are traveling without kids, come here anyway. You’ll still love it. I did.
Visiting the Cathedral of Junk
You can visit the Cathedral of Junk at 4422 Lareina Drive in Austin, Texas. It’s a 15-minute drive from downtown by car. If you want to take the bus, the journey is 30 minutes and you can take the #10.
Admission is free though a $5 donation for adults is encouraged. There are no set hours and he isn’t open every day so it’s best to call ahead before you go. (With a set schedule, the City of Austin would consider him an “official business” and then he would have to follow all sorts of rules)
Is the Cathedral of Junk the greatest attraction in Austin? Probably not, but it’s so weird, so quirky, that you really should make an effort to see it during your visit. It makes for a unique afternoon and is a perfect example of why the slogan for Austin is “Keep Austin Weird.”
Whether you’re traveling solo or with a family, make sure you add this to your itinerary. I promise it will be worth it!
If you’re going to New York, Trip Advisor recommends these places!
Central Park
New York City may be considered a concrete jungle, but you don’t have to go far to touch grass. Walk into Central Park, and you’ll be fully immersed in meadows, woods, and lakes, all connected by winding paths. You might think this giant park is natural, but every inch was meticulously designed by the famous city planners Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the mid-19th century.
It’s always the perfect time to visit Central Park—there’s stuff to do every season. Summers are for boating on the Lake, catching a concert, or seeing a free Shakespeare in the Park performance at the Delacorte Theater. Winter means ice skating on Wollman Rink or sledding down Pilgrim Hill. Fall is perfect for hiking through the North Woods, and spring is best spent admiring the cherry blossoms while jogging around the Reservoir. Or just find an empty bench to read and catch some rays.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Holding two million works spanning five millennia, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a genuine timeline of art history. So this isn’t a one-and-done kind of spot. You’ll probably need to come by several times to discover all of its treasures. Even the special exhibitions, like the annual blockbuster costume exhibitions that inspire the celeb-packed Met Gala, could take a full afternoon.
The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum
A solemn, still space for reflection in a city that never stops moving, the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum draws locals and visitors alike. At the heart of this complex are two vast reflecting pools, set in the footprints of the Twin Towers and inscribed with the names of those lost in the 9/11 attacks. Nearby, the Survivor Tree stands as a quiet symbol of resilience.
As for the museum itself: You’ll start by descending into the foundation of the original World Trade Center site—the simple escalator ride becomes a very powerful experience. Throughout the space, rescued artifacts, audio clips, and personal stories bring 9/11 into sharp focus. There are also tributes to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, an earlier attack on this very site. There’s a reason tissue caddies are at the ready in this space: This is an intensely emotional museum. If you need a moment to collect yourself when you’re done, walk over to the Battery Park Esplanade, just a couple of blocks west, and take a breather along the river.
The Empire State Building
We asked travelers around the globe what place wowed them most, and they pointed straight up: 1,454 feet up, to be exact. Yes, the Empire State Building won our Travelers’ Choice Award as the top attraction in the world. Even jaded New Yorkers get a rush of affection seeing its sleek, symmetrical facade. With stainless-steel canopies, black granite detailing, molded eagles, and that iconic spire antenna, it’s a full-on Art Deco masterpiece. No wonder King Kong wanted to hang here. And sure, it’s no longer the tallest building in the city (it’s topped by seven others these days), but it’s got plenty of glamour to spare.
Top of the Rock
In a city loaded with observation decks, Top of the Rock has one of the best—if not the best, period, hands down. For starters, its Midtown address (a brand-name one: 30 Rockefeller Plaza) is pretty much perfect for seeing every major sight in NYC: Central Park to the north; and the Empire State Building One World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty to the south. If that’s not efficient tick-the-boxes sightseeing, we’re not sure what is.
In recent years, Top of the Rock has upped the ante, too. Now there are extra adrenaline boosters like the Beam, where you can replicate Lunch Atop a Skyscraper (that famous black-and-white photo from the 1930s); and Skylift, a glass platform that kicks things up even more—quite literally—by lifting you up another three stories above the observation deck itself.
Trip Advisor recommends these Must SEE places, if you’re planning on visiting Virginia.
Colonial Willamsburg
At Colonial Williamsburg, the Revolution isn’t just something you read about in textbooks. It’s here and all around you. Stroll the same streets as Thomas Jefferson and Martha Washington. Dine in George Washington’s favorite tavern. Explore one of America’s oldest schools dedicated to the education of Black children. From seats of government and family homes to community buildings and working trade shops to engaging live performances and exquisite gardens, each visit offers a chance to connect with the ideas that shaped our nation: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Luray Caverns
This spectacular natural formation features enormous chambers filled with towering stalactite columns, shimmering travertine draperies, and crystal-clear pools. Explore the caves through its well-lit, paved walkways and you’ll find yourself in magnificent cathedral-sized rooms with 10-story-high ceilings. Listen out for the haunting sounds of the “singing” rocks, thanks to the world’s largest musical instrument the Great Stalacpipe Organ, which plays the stalactites. Learn how this organ works and other cool facts on a self-guided tour of the caves.
Monticello
Monticello and its many historical rooms, gadgets, furniture, buildings, and artifacts tell us a lot about Thomas Jefferson, the president who built it and lived there.
Jamestown Settlement
It’s a unique chance to experience the very place where the American nation and young country were born. The founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in America, in Virginia in 1607—13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Arlington National Cemetery
Veterans of every American war from the Revolution to the country’s most recent conflicts are buried at Arlington, which was officially declared a military cemetery in 1864. Among the more than 260,000 dead are three unidentified service members, buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and John F. Kennedy, whose gravesite is marked by an eternal flame.
Trip Adviser says don’t miss these spots if you’re going to visit New Hampshire!
The Mount Washington Cog Railway
Climb to the top of Mount Washington on the world’s first mountain-climbing Cog Railway trains!
Kancamagus Highway
Highway 112 runs from Center Conway to North Woodstock, just south of Franconia Notch. Passing through the White Mountain National Forest, it is considered one of the most scenic highways in the U.S. and offers a number of interesting stopping off points.
Flume Gorge
This 800-foot-long gorge with towering granite walls is at the base of Mount Liberty. You can explore the gorge on a short two-mile hike—it has a lot of uphill sections and stairs, so wear a good pair of shoes. While you’re there, check out the Flume Covered Bridge (across the scenic Pemigewasset River) and Table Rock (an open granite rock face), too. Visit during fall for beautiful orange hues, or during summer and early spring for stronger water flows. The narrow gorge can get busy, so get there early in the day for fewer crowds. Reservations are required—book online in advance to secure your slot.
Mitchell, South Dakota is home to the legendary Corn Palace. This absurd palace resembles a traditional Russian palace, except it’s adorned in murals made of corn. Each year wildlife feasts on the murals before they’re replaced the following spring.
Tennessee
Visit Chattanooga, Tennessee to find the International Towing and Recovery Museum. The world’s first-ever tow truck was built in Chattanooga in 2926, and now the Museum commemorates the concept of tow trucks, their drivers, and the help these trucks can offer to stranded motorists.
Texas
If you visit San Antonio, you could check out the interesting Toilet Seat Art Museum. Barney Smith, the Museum’s founder, was born to a family of plumbers. Rather than follow in their footsteps, he decided to create art on toilet seat lids and now owns over 1,350 unique toilet seat lid art pieces.
Utah
There’s a hole in a rock in Moab, Utah. In that hole, you can find a man-made cave that was one the home of Albert and Gladys Christensen. The aptly-named “Hole N”The Rock” [sic] has 14 rooms and sports a gift shop, Gladys’s doll collection, and taxidermy!
Vermont
Ben and Jerry’s is famously headquartered in Waterbury, Vermont. Beyond being the place where the company makes new flavors, its also where they keep a “graveyard” of retired flavors. Here, you can pay respects to flavors that have been pulled from the shelves. Interestingly, the company axes around ten flavors per year!
Virginia
It might sound strange, but there’s a DEA Museum in Arlington, Virginia. This museum has fascinating and sometimes disturbing artifacts that showcase the Drug Enforcement Agency’s ongoing war on crime. The law enforcement attraction probably isn’t the best stop for families with younger kids!
Washington
Take a trip to Olympic Way in Longview, Washington to discover the Nutty Narrows squirrel bridge. This adorable, tiny bridge over Olympic Way allows squirrels to safely cross over the road without falling to the traffic below. The bridge is regularly decorated for holidays and special events!
West Virginia
There’s a holdout Cold War bunker beneath the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. This somewhat grim attraction was to house high-ranking members of the US government in the event of atomic war! People can now tour the bunker to see a weird relic of a bygone era of atomic anxiety.
Wisconsin
In 1995, a 55-ton boulder rolled down a hill in Fountain City, Wisconsin, straight into Dwight and Maxine Anderson’s home. It ended up in the master bedroom, where it sits to this day. The home was purchased by investors who now allow tourists to visit and see the boulder sitting in the middle of the home.
Wyoming
The Frontier Prison Museum sits where the Frontier Prison itself once operated. This dismal, dark museum showcases the punitive measures Frontier Prison used to keep prisoners in line. It’s weird and more than a bit unsettling. Don’t try to visit at night!
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