Encore Boston Harbor Resort and Casino

The Encore Boston Harbor Resort and Casino is one of our favorite places to stay when visiting the Boston area. This resort is the largest 5-star regional resort casino outside of Las Vegas. You'll find 671 guest rooms that are beautifully decorated, spaceous and clean! 

Every room has bedside consoles to charge devices, voice-controlled curtains and lighting along with Alexa virtual assistant. The beds have luxury 100% Egyptian Cotton bed linens. Each room makes you feel comfortable and spoiled like royalty. 

Resort features a luxurious spa, full-service salon, fitness center, meeting rooms, retail shops, restaurants, bars, lounges, and so much more! Then you have a large, full-service casino for hours upon hours of fun. The resort's lobby is lavishly decorated in a garden theme. Awe-inspiring when you see it. Always something to see and do! 

During our 3 night stay we enjoyed dining at the Rare Steakhouse, Fratelli and On Deck. There are casual and fine dining options. You'll find American, Italian, Chinese and local cuisine. A lot of options for your taste buds to enjoy. 

Harborwalk surrounds the resort and spans 6 acres. You'll find beautifully manicured gardens, paths for walking, jogging, or biking. There's a public park right on the property that sits along the Mystic River. 

Encore Boston Harbor Resort & Casino
One Broadway
Everett, MA. 02149
Web: http://encorebostonharbor.com

Elizabeth Montgomery from Bewitched Statue in Salem

When I was a child my mother would sit all of us kids in front of the TV to watch Bewitched every week. Elizabeth Montgomery who played Sabrina was one of my mother's favorite actresses. She admired her for her beauty and her talent. The sitcom ran in the U.S. from 1964-1972. 

We were on an extended weekend getaway to Boston and took a day trip into Salem. By pure accident we stumbled upon the Elizabeth Montgomery statue located at the intersection of Essex and Washington Street. It was installed in 2005 and attracts visitors from all around the world who were big fans of the sitcom. It was built by TV Land. 

It was really cool to see. If you're a fan of Bewitched and/or Elizabeth Montgomery...you'll want to stop by to check it out. Looking for other things to see and do while visiting Massachusetts? You can find some fun ideas on our travel blog. You can double-click on the image to get it to open up in a new window in a larger size to see all of the details. 

Visiting the 1692 Salem Witch Museum

The Salem Witch Museum is a very interesting place to visit. You'll find it located at 19 1/2 Washington Square North in Salem, Massachusetts. Admission tickets are sold online (only) ranging in price from $14.50 to $17.50 depending on age. It's recommended that you pre-order your tickets although some same-day tickets are available. 

Hours of operation: Open year round 10 am to 5 pm, July and August 10 am to 7 pm, with extended hours during the month of October. Group and self-guided tours are available.

Parking: There are several parking garages located within walking distance of the museum.

We had the opportunity to visit the Salem Witch Museum to learn about the Salem Witch Trials and the persecution of innocent people. Before visiting, we knew very little about the topic. The tour will give you the history along with the FACTS of what went on...not the fake hysteria. While many of us think this all went on in the past...in some countries witch hunts still continue. It was a great historical learning experience. 

There is an on-site gift shop that sells books, home decor, apparel, accessories, artisan-crafted goods, speciality items, and tourist souvenirs. We found that they had a vast selection of items for you to choose from and one of the best sources in books regarding the Salem Witch Trials. 

You can learn more about the 1692 Salem Witch Museum by visiting their website or by following them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Original CHEERS Bar and Restaurant in Boston

Are you a fan of the hit TV show Cheers? Did you know that the set design was inspired by the original CHEERS bar and pub located in Boston? That pub and restaurant was established in 1895 and thanks to the television show is an icon. 

While on a business trip to the great city of Boston we stopped into Cheers and had a few drinks. I had always wanted to go there and finally I can check that off my travel bucket list. They open daily at 11 am but can get very busy. Try to go during their off-peak hours if you want to avoid the crowds.

You can order burgers, fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, barbecue chicken wings, nachos, pizza, mozzarella sticks, quesadillas, clam chowder soup, chili, various styles of salads, pasta dishes, fish, and more! I highly recommend a burger...it was delicious!

Find out more about CHEERS and their special events, hours of operation, location, and more by visiting their official website. You can connect with them and other fans by liking them over on Facebook.

The Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge

The Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge spans the Housatonic River just east of the village Sheffield Plain in Massachusetts. The original bridge was built in 1837 and was destroyed by a fire in 1994. Today you'll see a replica of the old bridge in it's place. The lattice truss style bridge was once the oldest, original covered bridge in the state. It was listed to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. 

Measuring 93 feet long it proudly sits on two granite abutments. After the fire in 1994 (determined to be arson), it was closed down and rebuilt. Once completed in 1996, visitors were once again visiting the historic site. It's not open to vehicular traffic, but pedestrians are welcome to visit and photograph it.

You'll find it located in Sheffield, Massachusetts just off of U.S. Route 7 spanning across the Housatonic River. It's not the easiest bridge to get to, so you may want to use these coordinates 42°7′26″N 73°21′17″W to find it. It's a classic looking covered bridge and worth seeing if you're in the area.

Revere Beach Annual International Sand Sculpting Festival

The Revere Beach Partnership is proud to announce the dates and theme for the 2019 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival, hosted at America’s first public beach, Revere Beach, established in 1896.

The annual festival draws upwards of 1,000,000 spectators from all over the country who come to watch master sand sculptors compete for the first place prize in the Master Sand Sculpting Competition. The festival also features gourmet food trucks, live entertainment, local vendors, exhibitor booths, sand sculpting lessons children’s sand sculpting lessons, fireworks, a drone show, and much, much more all over the course of 3 days.

Sand sculptors for the Master Sand Sculpting Competition are as follows; Helena Bangert of the NetherlandsDan Belcher of St. Louis, Missouri, Deborah Barrett-Cutulle of Saugus, Massachusetts, Mélineige Beauregard of Quebec, Canada, Jonathan ‘Jobi’ Bouchard of Montreal, Canada, Enguerrand David of Belgium, Ilya Filmonstev of Russia, Remy Hoggard of EnglandMaxim Gazendam of the Netherlands, Paul Hoggard of BulgariaSudarsan Pattniak of India, Sue McGrew of Tacoma, Washington, Fergus Mulvany of Ireland, Pavel Mylnikov of Moscow, Russia, Rachel Stubbs of England, Steve Topazio of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Abe Waterman of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Morgan Rudluff of California, Benoit Dutherage of France, and Jaku ‘Kuba’ Zimacek of the Czech Republic and Aleksei Rybak of Russia..

The 2019 International Sand Sculpting Festival will also feature the availability of lessons from highly trained, sand-sculpting professionals. Returning, once again, to lead these lessons are Sandi ‘Castle’ Stirling and Raymond Poirier of Ontario, Canada. Wilfred Stijger and Edith van de Wetering, both of the Netherlands, will be helping with the judging, logos, and the centerpiece.

This year’s festival will take place from Friday, July 26th to Sunday, July 28th, 2019. . The Revere Beach Partnership is proud to announce that this year’s and has aThe theme for the 2019 International Sand Sculpting Festival is is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Moon Landing. The 2019 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival will serve to provide an artistic representation and celebration of this significant event of our nation’s history..

Hours for the 2019 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival on Friday, July 26th and Saturday, July 27th are 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday, July 28th 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free and open to the public.

About Revere Beach Partnership: Formed in 2001, the Revere Beach Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to carry forth the heritage of Revere Beach as a nearby retreat for New England families, preserve the beach’s unique historic and natural assets, and plan and oversee the continued improvement of Revere Beach. For more information, visit www.rbissf.com.

A Weekend Getaway to Historic Boston

The city of Boston was founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It's the capital city of the state of Massachusetts and is rich in history and culture. The city holds historical importance and was host to several key events of the American Revolution. It was the site for the famous Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston.

We had the opportunity to visit this historical city for the weekend and jumped on that opportunity. While our trip was mainly for business purposes, we were able to squeeze in a few fun things too! The city is beautiful architecture and is always hustling and bustling with activity. As you wonder through the downtown and back bay areas, you'll be greeted with plenty of things to do!

The Charles River runs between Boston and Cambridge and offers residents and visitors a ton of activities to do. You can enjoy boating, sailing, fishing, etc. Throughout the year (especially on July 4th) you'll find all kinds of festivals, fairs and events going on along the river. The photo above was taken while we were standing on the Cambridge side and looking over towards Boston.

One of the things that really impressed us about Boston was the charming people who call the city HOME. The locals were extremely-friendly and were more than happy to give us some of the local history. You can really tell that the residents take great pride in their city and the historical importance that it played in our country's history.

During the one evening we wondered into Kings Dining & Entertainment which is a combination restaurant, bar, bowling alley, billiards, shuffleboard, skeeball, etc. Kings is located at 50 Dalton Street in the Back Bay district and is open 7 days a week. We were referred to Kings by some of the locals and had made reservations for dinner earlier that day. I highly suggest that you make dinner reservations if you can, they can get really busy, especially during the weekend. Our food was perfectly prepared and delicious! After dinner we enjoyed a game of bowling and a few games of skeeball before heading back to our hotel room.

Waymarking is something that we enjoy doing when we travel, so we were pretty excited to stumble upon the Boston Town & City Clock. We enjoy documenting these clocks and have set up an entire board over on Pinterest to document them during our travels. If this is something that interests you, you can check out our Town & City Clocks Pinterest Board for additional photos and information.

If you enjoy MLB (Major League Baseball) and watching the Boston Red Sox play...you'll want to plan ahead. We enjoy baseball and although the Boston Red Sox are not our favorite team, we took advantage of our opportunity to go see them play at Fenway Park. Thankfully we were there during a middle of the afternoon home game, so the stadium wasn't packed. We really enjoyed it!

The Boston Architectural College is New England's largest private college. It's one of the premiere architectural colleges on the east coast, certainly in the northeast. It opened its doors to students for the first time in December 1889. There are approximately 300 professional educators with over 700+ degree students. You'll find it located in Boston in the Back Bay district. We really enjoyed looking at the exterior of the building, since we enjoy looking at old, historic buildings.

We're located in south central Pennsylvania and if you're located in our area...it will take you approximately 8-10 hours to get there by car. If you're looking to fly to save on time, you can find some direct flights out of Harrisburg International Airport which will get you there in less than 2 hours. There are connecting flights that leave out of HIA too.

We really enjoyed our little weekend getaway to historic Boston and we're really looking forward to visiting again next year for an official vacation. The next time we're there we'll be visiting some of the historical sites, since those are the type's of tourist attractions that we really enjoy visiting.

Revere Beach 15th Annual International Sand Sculpting Festival

The World-Renowned International Sand Sculpting Festival will celebrate literacy with some of storytelling’s most memorable childhood characters from Friday, July 20th to Sunday, July 22nd, 2018.

The Revere Beach Partnership is proud to announce the dates and theme for the 2018 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival, hosted at America’s first public beach, Revere Beach, established in 1896.

The annual festival draws upwards of 1,000,000 spectators from all over the country who come to watch master sand sculptors compete for first prize in the Master Sand Sculpting Competition. The festival also features gourmet food trucks, live entertainment, local vendors, exhibitor booths, children’s sand sculpting lessons, and fireworks all over the course of 3 days.

Sand sculptors for the Master Sand Sculpting Competition are as follows; Helena Bangert of the Netherlands, Deborah Barrett/Cutulle of Saugus, Massachusetts, Mélineige Beauregard of Quebec, Canada, Jonathan ‘Jobi’ Bouchard of Montreal, Canada, Enguerrand David of Belgium, Ilya Filmonstev of Russia, Remy Geerts of Bulgaria, Paul Hoggard of Bulgaria, Sue McGrew of Tacoma, Washington, Fergus Mulvany of Ireland, Pavel Mylnikov of Moscow, Russia, Rachel Stubbs of England, Steve Topazio of Tiverton, Rhode Island, Abe Waterman of Prince Edward Island, Canada, and Jaku ‘Kuba’ Zimacek of the Czech Republic.

The 2018 International Sand Sculpting Festival will also feature the availability of lessons from highly trained, sand-sculpting professionals. Returning, once again, to lead these lessons are Sandi ‘Castle’ Stirling and Raymond Poirier of Ontario, Canada. Wilfred Stijger and Edith van de Wetering, both of the Netherlands, will be helping with the judging, logos, and the centerpiece.

This year’s festival will run Friday, July 20th to Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 and has a theme of Celebrating Literacy. The 2018 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival will serve to provide an artistic representation and celebration of literary works of art throughout different childhood generations.

Hours for the 2018 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival on Friday, July 20th and Saturday, July 21st are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 22nd 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. It is recommended to use the MBTA and public transportation to and from this event. The MBTA Blue Line can be taken to the Wonderland or Revere Beach stops. Parking is also available at the Wonderland Garage. For more information about the event or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.internationalsandsculptingfestival.com.

The Massachusetts Official State Facts + Travel Tips

Massachusetts is a beautiful state located in the New England region of the United States. While it's smaller in size (compared to a lot of other states), it's big on history and hospitality. The capital city is Boston and it's the most populous city in the state and in the entire New England region.

Official Massachusetts State Facts:

Nickname: The Bay State
Capital: Boston
Borders: Atlantic Ocean to the east, Connecticut & Rhode Island to the south, Vermont & New Hampshire to the north and New York to the west.
State Bird: Black-Capped Chickadee
State Dog: Boston Terrior
State Cat: Tabby
State Horse: Morgan Horse
State Shell: New England Neptune
State Marine Mammal: Right Whale
State Fish: Cod
State Insect: Ladybug
State Tree: American Elm
State Flower: Mayflower
State Gemstone: Rhodonite
State Beverage: Cranberry Juice
Major Industries: Manufacturing, Tourism, Higher Education, Marine Fishing & Trade

Major Tourist Attractions and Landmarks:

Cape Cod Bay
Martha's Vineyard
Nantucket
Museum of Fine Arts - Boston
Institute of Contemporary Arts - Boston
Minute Man National Historical Park
The Boston Marathon
Old Sturbridge Village
Pilmoth Plantation
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Holyoke Heritage State Park
Paul Revere House

As a traveler, we've visited the city of Boston (twice) for mostly business. We did get to explore a little bit each time we were there. The city is beautiful and we loved it's historical charm. We plan on visiting the Boston again (for pleasure) and will be exploring the city more in-depth.

About 20 years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket for several days with my family. If you love the Atlantic Coast, you're absolutely going to love these two destinations. Each of them have their own vibe and the beach scene is absolutely gorgeous! My favorite coastal areas in New England for sure!

On our travel bucket list is a Massachusetts 2-week vacation. We plan on visiting 7 areas within the state and will be blogging our entire experience to share with our readers here on our travel blog. Stay tuned for that!

Revere Beach 14th Annual International Sand Sculpting Festival

The World-Renowned International Sand Sculpting Festival will showcase one of Massachusetts most famous Tall Ships, on Revere Beach from Friday, July 21st to Sunday, July 23rd, 2017.

The Revere Beach Partnership is proud to announce the dates and theme for the 2017 International Sand Sculpting Festival, hosted on America’s first public beach, Revere Beach, established in 1896.

The annual festival draws upwards of 900,000 spectators from all over the country who come to watch master sand sculptors compete for first prize in the solo Master Sand Sculpting Competition. The festival also features gourmet food trucks, live entertainment, local vendors, exhibit booths, children’s sand sculpting lessons, and fireworks over the course of 3 days.

This year’s festival will run Friday, July 21st to Sunday, July 23rd, 2017 and our centerpiece sculpture will feature the U.S.S. Constitution. The 2017 International Sand Sculpting Festival will serve to provide an artistic representation and celebration of the engineering genius that are Tall Ships. Make sure you come to Revere Beach on July 21st to marvel at a massive, twenty-foot-wide, sand-sculpture recreation of the USS Constitution along with a ten-foot-tall lighthouse.

With so much going on, it is important to consider parking and transportation for this event. Hours for the 2017 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival on Friday, July 21st and Saturday, July 22nd are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 23rd 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. It is recommended to use the MBTA and public transportation to and from this event. The MBTA Blue Line can be taken to the Wonderland or Revere Beach stops. Parking is available at the Wonderland Greyhound Track, and is a short walk to the festival. There is also limited handicap parking along Revere Beach Boulevard on a first come, first serve basis from Eliot Circle to Shirley Ave.

About Revere Beach Partnership: Formed in 2001, the Revere Beach Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to carry forth the heritage of Revere Beach as a nearby retreat for New England families, preserve the beach’s unique historic and natural assets, and plan and oversee the continued improvement of Revere Beach.

Luxury Accommodations at the Sheraton Boston Hotel

A few months ago we went up to Boston in Massachusetts for a combination business trip and mini vacation. Normally we like to drive when we travel, but since we were only spending 4 days in Boston, we decide to fly and I'm glad that we did. It only took us 3 1/2 hours (flying time) to go from southern Pennsylvania to Boston. By flying, we had more time to play while we were there!

Upon recommendation, we chose to stay at the Sheraton Boston Hotel which is centrally located in the downtown area and within walking distance to many restaurants and shops. You'll find the Sheraton located on 39 Dalton Street. If you need directions or need to make reservations, you can visit their website online or give them a call at (617) 236-2000.

Our guest room was spacious and super clean. We had two nice sized beds (I believe they were queen size), super soft bed linens, plenty of room lighting, a comfortable sitting chair and one of the things that really impressed me was how quiet the hotel was at night. The beds were comfortable and since it was quiet...we got a good night's sleep each night we were there.

One of the things I would improve upon would be the bathroom. I found it to be small, but not the smallest of bathrooms that I've seen in various hotels. With that said, it was very clean and the hotel's bath linens were clean, plush and soft. Due to the bathroom's size, I found it better to wrap myself up in a towel after my shower and just get dressed in the bedroom area. I need more room when it comes to drying off and getting dressed for my day.

The Sheraton Boston Hotel is beautifully decorated, at least our guest room was decorated in a modern & upscale style. I found the corridors to be well-lit and clean. The lobby was really nice and had plenty of light if you wanted to hang out down there. The hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness center, a club lounge, a business center, on-site restaurant and they have a Starbucks in their lobby.

Since this hotel is in the downtown area, some of the guest rooms will have beautiful views out their windows and other guest rooms will not. If you're looking for or expecting a nice view, I would request that when making your reservations. As you can see from my photo above, our view wasn't spectacular but then again, we didn't request a room with a view.

Overall, we did enjoy staying at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and if we travel up to the area again, we would definitely stay there again. It was really clean, the staff was friendly & nice, our guest room was beautifully decorated and the hotel was close to restaurants and shopping. Plus, they offer a shuttle service to and from the airport. You can learn more by visiting their site online.

Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival 2016

The World-Renowned International Sand Sculpting Festival will showcase Massachusetts as a leader in Science, Technology, and Innovation on Revere Beach from Friday, July 22nd to Sunday, July 24th, 2016.

The annual festival draws upwards of 900,000 spectators from all over the country who come to watch master sand sculptors compete for first prize in the solo and duo portions of the Master Sand Sculpting Competition. The festival also features gourmet food trucks, live entertainment, local vendors, exhibit booths, children’s sand sculpting lessons, and fireworks over the course of 3 days.

Sand sculptors for the Solo Competition are as follows; Melinage Beaureguard of Montreal, Canada, Guy Oliver-Deveau of Montreal, Canada, Pavel Mylnikov of Moscow, Russia, Benjamin Probanza of Acapulco, Mexico, Kevin Crawford of Perth, Australia, Jonathan ‘Jobi’ Bouchard of Montreal Canada, Jooheng Tan of Singapore, Marielle Hesseles of The Netherlands, Nikolay Torkov of Moscow, Russia, and Leonardo Ugolini of Italy.

Duo Competitors for this year are; David Durcharme of British Columbia with Enguerrand David of Belgium, Steve Topazio of Tiverton, RI with Deborah Barrett/Cutulle of Saugus, MA, David Belcher of St. Louis, MO with Marianne van den Broek of Key West, FL, Paul and Remy Hoggard of Bulgaria, and Abe Waterman of Prince Edward Island with Morgan Rudluff of Santa Cruz, CA.

This year’s festival will run Friday, July 22nd to Sunday, July 24th, 2016 and has a theme of Science, Technology, and Innovation. The event will highlight Massachusetts as a leader in the development and implementation of new and emerging technologies and discoveries by showcasing the innovation that is happening right here.

Hours for the 2016 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival on Friday, July 22nd and Saturday, July 23rd are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 24th 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. It is recommended to use the MBTA and public transportation to and from this event. The MBTA Blue Line can be taken to the Wonderland or Revere Beach stops. Free parking and shuttle service to the T will be available at Suffolk Downs. Parking is also available at the Wonderland Garage. For more information about the event or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.internationalsandsculptingfestival.com.

About Revere Beach Partnership: Formed in 2001, the Revere Beach Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to carry forth the heritage of Revere Beach as a nearby retreat for New England families, preserve the beach’s unique historic and natural assets, and plan and oversee the continued improvement of Revere Beach. For more information, visit www.reverebeachpartnership.com.

In My Footsteps A Traveler's Guide to Martha's Vineyard

For Centuries, Martha's Vineyard, the Massachusett's island off the coast of Cape Cod, has attracted everyone from celebrities and presidents to everyday folks seeking a respite from the busier pace of the mainland. This travel guide takes you on a complete tour around the island, showcasing more than 75 locations. A mix of quaint charm and stunning natural beauty gives the Vineyard a truly unique allure.

Historic homes, lighthouses, renowned restaurants, and miles of pristine beaches are only the starting points for the wonders that have made this island of not quite 100 square miles a coveted vacation spot. Through clear and concise directions, including addresses, distances and GPS coordinates, this unique guide whisks you around the island, stopping at both must-see popular spots and lesser-known hidden gems treasured by the locals.

Title: In My Footsteps - A Traveler's Guide to Martha's Vineyard
Author: Christopher Setterlund
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-7643-5019-1

My Thoughts: I love collecting travel books from locations I've visited and on destinations that I currently have on my travel bucket list. About twenty years ago I visited Martha's Vineyard and I know that it's changed quite a bit since I was there. The "In My Footsteps - A Traveler's Guide to Martha's Vineyard" by author Christopher Setterlund is a soft-cover travel guide that is one of the best that I've seen that covers just about everything that has to do with Martha's Vineyard.

I love that the author included some of the popular "hot" spots and included lesser known hidden gems within the pages of this book. He tells you exactly where each place is located so that you can easily find it yourself. In addition, he tells you a little bit about each location, including his personal thoughts on it. If you love looking at travel photos, you'll love all of the beautiful photographs included in the book.

The "In My Footsteps - A Traveler's Guide to Martha's Vineyard" is a great travel book for the newbie who's never visited the island and it's great for those who visit often and are looking for new places to see and new things to do. There is a nice index in the front of the book to help you find things quickly and easily.

This book is available from Schiffer Publishing and is a great travel guide on Martha's Vineyard. Along with this travel book, you can find thousands of other books there too!

Disclosure: Shelly H. received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned in this travel blog post for a review/feature here on her blog. No monetary compensation was received. Shelly's thoughts, words and opinions are 100% her own, unbiased opinion. Your opinion may differ.

Book Review - 101 Things to do in Martha's Vineyard

As a person who loves to travel, I'm a big fan of travel-related books. I like to pick up books on a new area that we are traveling to, so that I can plan ahead on all of the things that I want to see and do while visiting there. Over the years, I've amassed quite the collection of travel books and today, I get to introduce you to a new addition to my collection.

Title: 101 Things to do in Martha's Vineyard
Author: Gary J. Sikorski
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4953-9
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

Book Synopsis: This photographic guide to Martha's Vineyard features 101 specific ways to enjoy the island, whether you're looking for the freshest seafood, a secluded beach, or a day of adventure. Packed with tips, useful information, and a handy map, this will be your go-to vacation reference. 

My Thoughts: About 20 years ago I had the pleasure to visit Martha's Vineyard for a few days during a mini vacation. As a newbie to the island...I wasn't aware of all of the things that I could see and do. Matter of fact, we didn't venture too far away from where we were staying and basically just hung out on the beach and did some shopping nearby. Now that our 30th wedding anniversary is approaching we've been talking about visiting Martha's Vineyard again and this time...we really want to experience everything that the island has to offer. 

101 Things to do in Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful hardcover book that is jam-packed with all kinds of information. The author does a great job in pointing out the best places to eat, the best beaches for sunbathing, the best beaches for shelling (a hobby of mine), great places to shop, great places to grab a beer, where to go to the movies and everything else in between! It's comprehensive and I love that the author has visited all of these places and knows exactly what to recommend to others.

The photography throughout this book is amazing! There are hundreds of photographs in the book with great descriptions of what each photo is about. Each place that the author recommends to you (there are 101 of them) includes the location/address and website (if applicable) so that you can easily find these places too. Not only that, he tells you exactly why he recommends each and every place! On pages 14-15 you'll find a Martha's Vineyard maps to help you get around during your trip.

I absolutely LOVE this travel book! It's comprehensive and really easy to read. Plus, it's the type of travel book that you'll want to sit out as a coffee table book, so that others can "leaf" through it too.

Disclaimer: Shelly H. received a complimentary copy of this book for review on her travel blog. No monetary compensation was received. Shelly's thoughts, opinions and words are her own 100% unbiased opinion. Your thoughts may differ.

Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge

Sheraton Commander Hotel today announced that it has completed a multi-million dollar renovation, featuring significant upgrades to its guest rooms, Club lounge and lobby. The AAA-Three Diamond rated hotel has long been a landmark in the Cambridge community. Located in Harvard Square, the property overlooks Cambridge Common, where George Washington took command of the Continental Army and which is celebrated by a bronze, sculpted figure before the colonial façade of the hotel.

“Sheraton Commander Hotel now truly embodies the Sheraton brand’s contemporary and comfortable new look and feel,” said Michael Guleserian, General Manager. “Our recent renovations have greatly improved the guest experience by creating an atmosphere where travelers can make connections and enjoy all the brand’s recently enhanced signature services and amenities”.

Both stylish and comfortable, the 176 upgraded guest rooms at Sheraton Commander Hotel are equipped with new whisper quiet windows, an oversized work desk, custom-designed ergonomic chair, complimentary high-speed Internet, LCD flat screen televisions, Starbucks coffee makers and the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria.

The hotel’s lobby boasts a fresh new design with communal seating, offering a warm welcome to guests of the hotel. Just off the lobby is NuBar Restaurant and Lounge, the hotel’s restaurant with a 100 year history, offering seasonal fare reinterpreted into a chic and modern neighborhood mainstay with community roots.

Sheraton Club guests will enjoy upgraded amenities, as well as complimentary hot breakfast, beverages and evening hors d’oeuvres in the newly improved Sheraton Club Lounge, which offers room to unwind while enjoying views of Harvard Square.

Sheraton Commander Hotel features 5,000 square feet of meeting space, across six elegantly appointed conference and function rooms including the George Washington or Mount Vernon Ballrooms that have been restored to their 1927 splendor. The hotel’s fully equipped fitness facility features the brand’s health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness by Core Performance, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

The hotel is offering guests the opportunity to experience the revitalized experience at the Sheraton Commander Hotel with a special renovation offer. When booking guests will receive 500 bonus Starpoints for their stay. This offer is available to book for stays from April 15 – August, 2015. Rates are priced per room, per night, plus taxes and gratuities based on single/double occupancy. To book call 866-716-8134 and mention rate plan LCPKG1 or visit the Offers Page at www.sheratoncommander.com.

Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival

The 2014 Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival returns just outside of Boston, along Revere Beach, from July 18th – 20th, 2014. If you have never had the pleasure of attending this coastal festival, you are really missing out on a fun experience! It is a great activity for families or couples to enjoy. Here is some additional information about the upcoming Sand Sculpting Festival.

The 2014 Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival returns for an 11th year from Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20, 2014 along Revere Beach in Revere, Massachusetts. The event attracts an average of 300,000 attendees annually who come to see 15 master sand sculptors from around the world compete for first place in the Master Sand Sculpting Competition. The 2014 Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival also features live entertainment, gourmet food trucks, exhibit booths, children’s sand sculpting lessons, an interactive learning zone and fireworks over the course of the 3-day extravaganza.

WHEN: Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19, 2014
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Revere Beach
Revere Beach Boulevard
Revere, MA 02151

For additional information, please visit www.nationalsandsculptingfestival.com for information and a full schedule of events.

Visiting Brant Point Lighthouse on Nantucket Island

Brant Point Lighthouse is located in the beautiful state of Massachusetts and was built in 1746. It is located right on Nantucket Island and stands 26 feet tall. While it is definitely not one of the tallest lighthouses on the eastern seaboard, it is definitely one of the prettiest due to its location.

The lighthouse is still in operation today and was automated back in 1965. The light can be seen for 10 nautical miles away. While small in size, it can really light up the New England coastline. What is really impressive is that it is the second oldest light station in the United States.

The tower itself is owned & operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and is not open to the public. However, the grounds surrounding this beautiful lighthouse are open to the public and are within walking distance from the ferry landing.

If you want to see this lighthouse up close and personal, you will need to take a boat ride or ferry ride over to Nantucket Island to see it. It is a real beauty and a "must see" if you are a lighthouse lover and heading to the great state of Massachusetts. Definitely one to add to your "bucket list".

Romantic Activities A Couple Can Enjoy in Martha's Vineyard

Several years ago my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a week long trip up to Martha's Vineyard and it was one of the best and romantic trips that we had ever taken! If you have never been there, it is beautiful and there are a lot of activities to do and majestic places to see!

While you can certainly go just for the weekend, we highly recommend that you plan a 7 day or 10 day trip so that you can really "take in" everything that the area has to offer.

We have compiled our list of fun and romantic things that a couple can enjoy doing together while vacationing in Martha's Vineyard.

* Horseback Riding on the Beach
* Kayaking and Canoeing
* Swimming and Water Skiing
* Go Hiking in Little Bay Park and hike through Cape Cod National Seashore
* Visit the Bayberry Hill Conservation Area
* Visit the Massachusetts Audubon Society
* Visit the Paw Wah Point Conservation Area
* Hike the Seymour Pond Trail
* Visit the South Cape Beach State Park
* Visit the Ashumet Holly and Wildlife Sanctuary
* Shop at the Cape Cod Factory Outlet Mall
* Shop at the Cape Cod Mall
* Play a Round of Golf at the Falmouth Country Club
* Visit the Chequessett Yacht & Country Club
* Book a Whale Watching Tour with Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch
* Book an Afternoon Deep-Sea Fishing Excursion
* Shop at the Cape Cod Potters (I love pottery)
* Shop at the Jobi Pottery and Truro Fine Art Studio
* Visit Local Quilt Shops and/or Antique Stores
* Visit Local Wineries and Beer Breweries

The list above is just the tip of the iceberg of all of the fun things you can see and do while visiting Martha's Vineyard. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, we highly recommend this vacation destination on the north east coast!

Most Booked Summer Destinations

I love to travel and my favorite time of the year to travel happens to be Summertime! When hubby and I travel, we like to take road trips most of the time...but from time to time...we will board a flight. Years ago we did some traveling overseas but these days...we are more content to travel domestically and spend our money in our own economy. With that said, I thought I would share this article with all of you who like to travel abroad.

Most Booked Summer Destinations for 2013

The year-over-year data illustrates that while domestic airfare is on the rise, round-trip tickets to cosmopolitan cities including London and Paris, the beaches of San Juan and Cancun, and the culture of Rome, are being offered for under $1,000, making this season an ideal time to take an inspirational trip abroad.

No need to worry about a tight budget, because CheapOair is maximizing its customers’ travel experiences by offering exclusive vacation deals to the most popular summer destinations around the world.

Boston, Massachusetts to Cancun, Mexico

Cancun has become well-known for its beautiful beaches and magnificent resorts, and at the Barcelo Costa Cancun guests can step out of the hotel onto one of Cancun’s most spectacular beaches to enjoy some fun in the sun. When looking to break away from this all-inclusive resort, guests can travel just a few minutes to the city and enjoy the vibrant night life while exploring Mexico’s most popular destination.

CheapOair is offering vacation deals from Boston to Cancun starting at $875 per person. The package includes roundtrip airfare and a 3 night/4 day stay at the Barcelo Costa Cancun.

*Sample hotel rate listed for travel from August 2 to August 5, 2013 and is based on availability; additional dates and locations available. Taxes and service fees included. Sample airfare is listed from Boston to Cancun.

Chicago, Illinois to San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s beautiful scenery is a perfect reason to escape to this top destination this summer. At the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, guests can enjoy a swim in the resort’s infinity pool overlooking the ocean. When looking to escape the sun’s rays, take a break in the hotel’s popular casino with over 500 slots and 16 table games.


CheapOair is offering vacation deals from Chicago to San Juan starting at $1,065 per person. The package includes roundtrip airfare and a 7 night/8 day stay at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino.


*Sample hotel rate listed for travel from July 29 to August 5, 2013 and is based on availability; additional dates and locations available. Taxes and service fees included. Sample airfare is listed from New York to Chicago.

Orlando, Florida to Rome, Italy

Whether joining an audience with the Pope outside of the Vatican, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, or enjoying all of the gelato you can get your hands on, the Pineta Palace hotel in Rome offers guests a list of endless possibilities of things to do when visiting one of the greatest cities in Italy.


CheapOair is offering vacation deals from Orlando to Rome starting at $1,998 per person. The package includes roundtrip airfare and a 4 night/5 day stay at the Pineta Palace.


*Sample hotel rate listed for travel from August 1 to August 5, 2013 and is based on availability; additional dates and locations available. Taxes and service fees included. Sample airfare is listed from Orlando to Rome.

Los Angeles, California to London, U.K.

Whether hopping on the London Eye where you can oversee the entire city, touring the Tower of London or walking like the Beatles along Abbey Road, London is the perfect place to soak up some culture. Located conveniently next to the nearest Tube (underground subway) stop, the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington is located near Central London which has some of the world’s best retail shopping and unique markets.


CheapOair is offering vacation deals from Los Angeles to London starting at $2,075 per person. The package includes roundtrip airfare and a 7 night/8 day stay at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington.

*Sample hotel rate listed for travel from July 29 to August 5, 2013 and is based on availability; additional dates and locations available. Taxes and service fees included. Sample airfare is listed from Los Angeles to London.

New York, New York to Paris, France

The Pullman Paris Montparnasse is situated near the Montparnasse Tower from where guests can enjoy a romantic view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. When looking to take a break from exploring historical monuments, the hotel is just minutes away from an array of shops, bistros, small theatres, cabarets and bars.

CheapOair is offering vacation deals from New York to Paris starting at $2,116 per person. The package includes roundtrip airfare and a 7 night/8 day stay at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse.

*Sample hotel rate listed for travel from July 29 to August 5, 2013 and is based on availability; additional dates and locations available. Taxes and service fees included. Sample airfare is listed from New York to France. For reservations, visit http://www.cheapoair.com/vacations/special-packages/exclusive-vacation-packages.html

Fares are round trip, Fares include all fuel surcharges, our service fees and taxes. Displayed fares are historical fares were last found on July 15, 2013 at 8:00 AM and are subject to availability. There is no guarantee that the fares will be available at the time of your search.

Old Town Trolley Tour in Boston, Savannah and Washington DC

My husband and I have 6 full vacations planned for this year with our very first one coming up the beginning of May. One of the cities we will be visiting on our vacation in May is the beautiful city of Boston and we are hoping to take the Old Town Trolley tour while visiting there. Have any of you taken the tour yet? We heard that it's gorgeous during this time of the year.

Since we are traveling on a budget with this particular trip, I got online to look around for an old town trolley coupon code and within a few minutes, I found one! Yeah!!! I love how you can save some money while traveling and doing the tourist thing with just a few quick clicks of your computer mouse!

I just had my hip replaced a few weeks ago, so this type of tour is perfect for me since I can't do a lot of walking. Not only that, I think it's fun to ride and tour...which is a lot better than walking miles upon miles to get where you are going.

While we are in Boston, we are hoping to take a tour of the Ghosts and Gravestones (heard it's a very popular tour) and at the top of my "must see" list is a visit to the New England Aquarium. I think our little grand daughter will love visiting the aquarium since she loves animals and loves to visit zoos. My daughter is going to babysit our grand daughter when hubby and I go out for our whale and dolphin watching cruise as I don't feel comfortable taking a 4 year old on a boat!

Then in late June we are going to head on down to Savannah Georgia and check out all of the Southern Charm that Savannah has to offer. We want to check out the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, have dinner and tea at the famous Savannah Tea House and I definitely want to check out all of the great shopping opportunities that downtown Savannah has to offer.

In July we will be heading down to Washington D.C. and visiting the D.C. Zoo. During one evening during our trip we want to do the Washington Monuments by Moonlight Tour and I bet that is beautiful seeing all of the famous monuments lit up at night. We are hoping we have enough time during our 4 day Washington D.C. trip to stop in to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum as hubby has that on his to-do list and has wanted to visit the wax museum for the past 15 years or so.

Since we will be visiting Boston, Savannah and Washington D.C. I need to find several old trolley tour coupon online to help us save money while we are vacationing.

I would love to know if you have visited any of those three cities and if so, what kind of tourist attractions do you suggest we try to do and/or visit?