Best Things to Do in Las Vegas
We broke our favorite stops in Las Vegas into “To Do” and “To See”. The stops that are “To See” are great photo ops with not much else to them. When we planned our trip I made a google map with pins of all the …
Author: Northwoods Thornes
First Time Visitor’s Guide to Las Vegas
The ultimate first-timer’s guide to Las Vegas. All of the tips and tricks we wished we knew for our first trip.
Visiting Salem for Halloween
Looking to spend some time in Salem around Halloween? You’ve found your spot for all the things to do to make your trip memorable. We will also cover a few things not to do that we thought were overrated (at least in our experience, everyone is different). Halloween is without a doubt my favorite holiday. Every year I try to outdo myself from the year before. Salem hasn’t disappointed me yet and continues to hold my attention every year.
Salem’s history is an integral part of the experience and is often overlooked. Halloween is a great time of year and Salem is the perfect destination. Whenever I visit I take a moment to remember that these were real people who existed in dark times. It is easy to get lost in the festivities and forget the real reason Salem is so famous around Halloween. Salem does a great job of holding onto history and putting it on display. If you’re planning your trip I suggest doing a little bit of googling and reading about Salem’s history before you go.
Best Things to Do and See
To Do:
The Salem Heritage Trail
The Salem Heritage Trail is a walking trail that connects all of the major sites in Salem. It is a yellow line painted on the ground that you can follow. It is around 3 miles long but you can change your route based on what you want to see and how far you want to walk.
The Witch House
One of the most popular photo spots in Salem, you better come early or very late to get a photo without being rushed. Also known as the Jonathan Corwin House, Jonathan Corwin was a judge during the witch trials. This is the only historic site that you can visit that was directly related to the witch trials. Self-guided tours are available for $9.00 per person for adults.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is a small park with a bench for each witch trial victim. It is a must-visit to remember the true nature of the witch trials in Salem. The memorial looks over Old Burying Point Cemetery, where the victims of the trials were not allowed to be buried.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
A very interesting feature for New England, the Salem Maritime site is the first National Historic Site in America. You can visit the Salem Armory Visitor Center, Waite & Peirce Park Store, and visit the replica of the Friendship of Salem at Derby Wharf under the National Park Service.
Witch History Museum
Different from the Salem Witch Museum, the Witch History Museum is located off Essex Street. You’ll be able to walk through 15 different scenes taking you through the witch trials’ history. Tickets are $13 per person for adults.
The Ropes Mansion
Most of you will know the Ropes Manion from the original Hocus Pocus, where Allison lived. The mansion is currently owned and operated by the Peabody Essex Museum. You can visit on the weekends with a museum ticket or sign up for a guided tour. The house is built for a merchant in the 1720s but is more known from when Judge Nathaniel Ropes occupied the house during Colonial unrest.
Essex Street
The main street of Salem, Essex Street is the hot spot for shopping and eating. In October all of the shops are packed with people doing some spooky shopping. Wicked Good Books, The Witch History Museum, and the Gulu Gulu Cafe are just a few of the places you can stop on Essex Street.
The Salem Witch Museum
Located on Washington Square North, the Salem Witch Museum is a staple a lot of visitors choose to stop at. Tickets are sold online only and as of 2022, they are $16.50 per person. The museum focuses on the events of 1692 and the Salem Witch Trials in depth.
House of Seven Gables
The House of Seven Gables is a beautiful stop, and a historic house most famous for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 romance novel. A fun fact for when he wrote the novel: the house didn’t actually have seven gables at the time, it had been renovated and only had three. Passes to visit the House of Seven Gables range from $5-$20 depending on what time of year you visit and tour type.
Old Burying Point Cemetery
One of the oldest cemeteries in the United States, Old Burying Point was opened in 1637. While the “witches” are not buried here, some of the more notable towns people are. It is an interesting historical site, located next to the Salem Witch Memorial.
To See:
These stops are more “to see” than “to do” because they are nice photo opportunities but there isn’t anything to actually do or go into. These locations can get quite busy during the day so if you want a nice clear picture I suggest going first thing in the morning.
Old Town Hall
A federal-style old town hall was built in 1816. Today it is rented out as an event facility. In the fall there are often Halloween-related events there.
The First Church in Salem
Located near the Ropes Mansion, the First Church in Salem was founded in 1629. The church is a massive stone building in contrast to the traditional neighborhood.
The Dennison House
3 Ocean Ave, Salem
The house is famous for being Max and Dani’s house in Hocus Pocus. It is located ina residential neighborhood. When visiting be courteous to the people who live there, more often than not if you’re visiting during the Halloween season you won’t be allowed to park very close to the house. It is also of note that the house is privately owned and occupied.
Bewitched Statue
Visit Samantha from the 1960’s tv sitcom Bewitched in Lappin Park. It is centrally located in Salem and very easy to get to, but it is also easy to walk right by if the crowds are blocking your view.
Events:
Haunted Happenings
A Halloween celebration that started in 1982, now more than half a million people join every year to celebrate. There are parades, magic shows, fireworks, local shopping events, zombie walks and so much more. You’ll need to check their website for the current years calendar of events.
Our favorite stops for food
Breakfast:
Red’s Sandwich Shop
Gulu Gulu Cafe
Fountain Place Restaurant
Salem’s Retreat
April’s II Restaurant
Lunch or Dinner:
Ledger Restaurant
Bambolina
Opus
The Derby Restaurant and Bar
The Tavern
A note on parking in Salem:
During the peak fall season, parking is limited to a couple of lots with a shuttle service provided by the town. In other seasons there is metered parking throughout town. A lot of homes are located directly on the streets and it is courteous to them to stick to the allowed lots during October.
I hope our Salem Visitors Guide will help you plan your trip to Salem! We absolutely love visiting Salem, any time of year. You can’t go wrong visiting in October but the fun doesn’t end there. Be sure to spend enough time adventuring the outskirts of the city as well. Happy Haunting!
Things to Do in Bar Harbor
The ultimate guide to all things Bar Harbor. The closest town to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor sees almost all the recreational traffic. Picking and choosing what you want to do while in town can be difficult, and were here to help!
Mt. Katahdin Hiking Guide
Mt.Katahdin is the heart of Baxter State Park. It brings in visitors and often local hikers wills summit a few times a year. There are multiple routes to summit Mt.Katahdin, and they are all beautifully difficult. Mt. Katahdin has two major peaks, Baxter Peak at 5,267 feet in elevation and Pamola at 4,919 feet. The average round trip hiking both peaks is about 10 miles give or take.
Planning:
When you choose which trail you’d prefer to hike, you need to check out the parking reservations and pass system. Baxter State Park is very strict on their parking policies, so you will need a pass to hike Mt. Katahdin if you are not camping within the park. If you live in the state your park access is free, and it is $5 per car to reserve a spot. If you do not want to reserve a spot, you can show up the day of and *may possibly* get a spot. The line of cars arrives outside the gate very early and if you are too deep in line you won’t get a spot. They start giving away unreserved spots at 6:00 am, but if everything is fully reserved they wait until there are no-shows beginning at 7:05 am.
Factor more time for driving into your “Away from home” time. I have a tendency to calculate my drive time from my home base to the trailhead into my hike time. This is mostly because I don’t like leaving Riley (our dog) for over 8 hours at a time. Between the time you spend waiting at the gatehouse in the morning and the roughly 40-minute drive from the gatehouse to the trailheads you’re adding more time to your day. Say you hike for 9 hours and drive for 3, that’s a 12-hour day instead of a 9-hour day.
Time of Year: Mt. Katahdin is a big, dangerous mountain. It may be sunny and nice at the base but cloudy, cold, and wet above the tree line. Make sure you check in with a ranger before your hike to make sure you are prepared for the weather.
Trails:
This mountain is not easy, and the labeled easiest trails up are debated. Among the list of “easiest trails up” would be the Hunt Trail, Saddle Trail and Hamlin Ridge. These don’t include your journey across the mountain and your way down.
Depending if you choose to do one peak and then descend, or do both peaks you will need to choose a trail to cross the ridge.
Knife’s Edge: This is a famous trail on the mountain where the drop offs are steep and the path is narrow. There are a few very steep spots where having a hiking buddy would be handy for a leg up. It is fine if you are by yourself but it is a more technical spot. This trail absolutely should not be done in bad weather. I would not even recommend it after recent rain or heavy wind.
This mountain is not easy, and the labeled easiest trails up are debated. Among the list of “easiest trails up” would be the Abol Trail, Hunt Trail, Saddle Trail and Hamlin Ridge. These don’t include your journey across the mountain and your way down.
Depending if you choose to do one peak and then descend, or do both peaks you will need to choose a trail to cross the ridge.
The Hunt Trail
Distance: 5.4 Miles
Elevation: 4,258 Feet
Trailhead: Katahdin Stream Campground
The Hunt Trail is roughly 5.4 miles from the parking area to Baxter Peak. If you choose this trail you get gradually worked into the steep climb as compared to the other trails where you jump right into the climb. Some people prefer to go up Hunt and come down Abol because of the openness of the Hunt Trail. Both the Abol and Hunt trails are on the back side of Mt. Katahdin.
Abol Trail
Distance: 4 Miles
Elevation: 3,969 Feet
Trailhead: Abol Campground
This trail also takes you up the backside of the mountain to Baxter peak and Pamola if you take Knife’s Edge over. It may seem like a short trail in terms of mileage but it will take about the same amount of time as the other trails. The trail was redone a few years back and is now a bit easier with the switchbacks that were added in. It is the most direct trail up and down.
Chimney Pond Trail
Distance: 3.1 Miles
Elevation: 1,463 Feet
Trailhead: Roaring Brook
The Chimney Pond Trail is a connecting trail that takes you up to Chimney Pond, where a majority of the other trails connect. You can reach the Dudley, Hamlin Ridge, Saddle and Cathedral trails from the Chimney Pond trail. This is a beautiful hike alone, with great views of Mt.Katahdin overlooking the pond.
Helon Taylor
Distance: 3.8 Miles
Elevation: 3,937 Feet
Trailhead: Roaring Brook
Helon Taylor trail will take you directly to Pamola peak, and is the only other trail that will take you there besides Dudley or coming over from Knife’s Edge. The trail is mostly exposed and rocky, until you reach the treeline again.
Saddle
Distance: 2.1 Miles
Trailhead: Connect from Chimney Pond
Saddle is the easier pick of the two if you’re debating between taking Saddle of Cathedral to the summit. It is still quite steep but it follows the valley of the mountain to the top.
Cathedral
Distance: 1.7 Miles
Trailhead: Connects from Chimney Pond
I would vote that Cathedral is one of my favorite trails because of the difficulty. It is a lot of bouldering and heaving yourself over rocks. I would not recommend taking this trail if the weather isn’t great. I also wouldn’t take this trail on the descent unless you’re a glutton for punishment. Cathedral trail takes you to Baxter Peak.
Dudley
Distance: 1 mile
Trailhead: Connects to Chimney Pond
Dudley is similar to the Cathedral trail where you are bouldering and rock hopping, but it takes you to Pamola Peak versus Baxter Peak. This trail is occasionally closed, so be sure to make sure it is open before solidifying your plans.
Hamlin Ridge
Distance: Variable
Elevation: Variable
Trailhead: Connects to Chimney Pond
Take the Hamlin Ridge trail only if you want to include Hamlin peak in your trip. You will have to descend a little bit before resuming the climb to Baxter peak. You’ll connect with the Saddle trail before you reach Baxter peak. Hamlin peak is part of the New England 4,000 footer club.
Packing Must Haves
- Flashlight or headlight (Baxter requires it)
- First Aid Kit
- Adequate amount of water or life straw
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- SLEEVES-I got so sunburned wearing just a tank top
- GPS or Downloaded Maps
- Snacks-Ben burned 3200 calories and I burned 2600 calories on our hike
- A second pair of socks-Change them at the top
This isn’t an all-inclusive hiking checklist, but these are the things that were most important to us on our hike. We saw some very unprepared people out hiking and to each their own but if something goes wrong help is far away. You can easily avoid uncomfortable circumstances by being prepared. The cell phone reception in the park is nearly non-existent, make sure you download the maps you want in advance. There is limited service on the summit of Mt. Katahdin surprisingly enough.
We hope that this guide will help you out when you’re planning your trip up Mt. Katahdin. If you have any questions that we didn’t cover or just anything else in general, drop them in the comments!
Acadia National Park Guide
All-inclusive guide to for planning your trip to Acadia National Park. All of the best viewpoints, things to do and tips for getting around.
Bryce Canyon National Park Guide
Getting there is just as beautiful as being in the park. Nine miles outside of Bryce Canyon on Scenic Byway 12 is Red Canyon. It should be added to your “must see” list, and simply driving through could be good enough. This is where you get to drive under the very cool arches. Don’t miss out by driving in or out in the dark.
Your Visit
Time of year should be considered while planning your trip. April through October are the best months to visit, with decent weather. July and August are peak summer months with high visitation as well as peak heat. In the winter months, Bryce Canyon gets snow and is susceptible to road closures.
The elevation of the park directly affects the weather and the drastic temperature changes. The elevation in the park varies from 6,620 feet to 9, 105 feet, creating a big jump in what you’re going to feel. Packing layers and being prepared to possibly be cold even though the daily high could be 70-80 degrees.
The park is miraculously easy to get around in. All of the stops are quite close together, at least in comparison to other National Parks. The shuttle can take you directly to all of the viewpoints and trailheads that you could want to visit. No matter how much time you have to spend in the park there is an itinerary that will work for you. If you move quickly and efficiently you can see the major sites in one day. I would definitely suggest at least two days to take your time and enjoy your experience.
Food is difficult to find in the park, I would highly recommend packing in your food for your trip if you’re not planning to go back to the closest town every day. The closest town does have all of your major amenities to stock up.
There are two campgrounds in the park, Sunset Campground and North Campground. Depending on the time of year you visit you need to note that the bathrooms with the showers may be closed (happened to us). These campgrounds are quite nice, but the sites are very small.
To Do
Hike
Outside of seeing all of the viewpoints and natural beauty at Bryce, hiking is the biggest thing to do in the area. All of the hikes are extremely beautiful and fun. Check out my other blog post to see the best hikes.
Horseback Trail Rides
The National Park offers trail rides through Canyon Trail Rides starting at $75 for 2 hours, April through October. There are other private companies that offer the trail rides as well. This would be an amazing way to hit the trail if you are unable to hike, or would just like a change of pace.
Visit the Viewpoints
The viewpoints are 10/10 here, and each one shows a different perspective of the canyon. On our visit we stopped at each one and had no regrets. Our top three favorites were Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point and Natural Bridge.
I would suggest taking the shuttle between Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, Sunrise Point and Fairyland Point. These parking areas can get really congested and difficult to navigate. Sunrise and Sunset Point are very easy to walk between on the Rim Trail.
Bryce Point
This is among the most popular viewpoints to stop at and for good reason. The view of the entire canyon is stunning.
Paria Overlook
This overlook looks over a different point of view of the hoodoos and is up there next to Farview point with good views.
Farview and Piracy Point
Farview is another one of the top stops at Bryce Canyon. It gives views of the trees on the forest floor below, a stark difference from the reds of the canyon.
Natural Bridge Overlook
This is a must stop overlook. A couple steps from your car you can see the Natural Bridge, which is mildly down slope from the parking lot.
Black Birch and Ponderosa Canyon Overlook
These two overlooks are very close together and have similar views. Ponderosa Canyon Overlook has a couple of trailheads that leave from the parking area and may be busier during peak times.
Yovimpa and Rainbow Point
These two viewpoints are at a higher elevation in the park where you can get a good look at the depth of the canyons. They are also located quite close together if you wanted to choose only one of them.
Night Sky Viewing
Bryce Canyon also belongs to the International Dark Sky Parks. Seeing the stars at night over the canyon is an amazing experience and a great night time photography spot. Sunrise and Sunset Point are both magical spots to watch the stars come out. Even if you’re not in the park, get outside at night and take a peek.
Our Experience
We drove to Bryce Canyon from the Grand Canyon, which was a heck of a drive. It was getting late in the day by the time we reached Red Canyon and I wish we had spent more time taking photos of the arches. We headed straight for the campground, and got our site at North Campground. We got settled as fast as we could and headed to the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop. We took the shuttle to Sunset Point and started there. It was an absolutely amazing hike.
Instead of taking the shuttle back to the campground we walked the multi-use path, which was a great walk with surprisingly little foot traffic on it. We grabbed the camper van and ventured out to go see Yovimpa Point and the points along the way. The sun was beginning to set so we metered our time at each stop. There was virtually no one else on the road and it was amazing to see all of the stops with no other people around. On our way back to the campground we made a stop at the Prairie Dog Town to see them doing their evening rounds. Right next to the Prairie Dog field we spotted some Pronghorn Antelope just hanging out, which was so cool.
We left Bryce Canyon at 5am the next morning, onto our adventure at Zion National Park. The campgrounds are well placed so you don’t have to drive through the entire park to get in or out of the campgrounds. In hindsight I wish we had one full day at Bryce Canyon but we were still able to see pretty much everything from our 12 hour sprint.
Baxter State Park Guide
Baxter State Park is a gem for Maine. It is not the typical “state park” as most state parks are run and funded entirely by the state, but Baxter State Park has a different history. Baxter State Park was created by Percival Baxter, when he …