Over all, I had a wonderful time in Saratoga Springs but, despite winning three dollars from the fabulous Glitter Princess slot machine, next time I'll skip out on the carpeted depression that the Harness Gaming Track wallows in. Instead I'll plan my visit around the limited dates of the far classier official racing season.
Places to Visit »Saratoga Harness Track and Gaming (Worst Place to Visit)
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Places to Visit »London (Best Place to Visit)
This pick comes from the week of February 23rd
Our main objective in London was to shop, and shop we did, starting with the famous Portobello Market in Notting Hill. It was a crowded stretch of road with vendors of all kinds, mot notably lots of cheap and trendy clothes (I finally found a plaid jacket inspired by Tokyo Drifter) and some good vintage once you cross under the bridge. Nearby children's clothing shops Stasi and Jigsaw were great for work. It's a lovely area to walk around with quaint buildings and antiques and fresh flowers peering out of windows.
Soho was much less quaint, a bustling center that reminded me of midtown and houses the colossal four story Topshop (soon to be causing mayhem in NYC). The place is a madhouse sea of intimidating head to toe trendy teens throwing hangers and grabbing sizes before you can reach for them. Not a spot for those prone to panic attacks, it is still worth a look for it's fun and exciting trends that are sold at comparatively reasonable prices.
For relative calm we headed to the exquisite concept store Dover Street Market, where even a pair of socks was out of my price range. Amazing designer clothing like Commes des Garcons and Manish Arora set among interesting displays of wax heads, neon tree branches, and giant plastic octopuses. It's more like a museum of avant garde design than a retail shop.
The next day got up early for the Brick Lane Market that reminded me of Brooklyn and bore great handmade t-shirts, spray painted shoes, beautiful people watching and excellent food (see restaurant picks). Nearby Beyond Retro, Shelf, Labour and Wait, Ella Doran and Mar Mar are worth visiting.
I really fell in love with London and hope to visit again when I can. Part of the magic was the comforts afforded by the great hotel No. 11 Cadogan Gardens in beautiful Chelsea and seeing my friend and her adorable baby again. It's the only city outside New York I could see myself living in.
RUNNERS UP:
Paris
Brimfield
Lake George
Crescent Beach
Vanderbilt Mansion and Planetarium
Twin Island
See more: Places to Visit Best of England Europe
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Posted on November 2, 2009
Places to Visit »Windy Acres Farm
Weather has put a damper on apple picking plans before, so when a co-worker suggested a long island trip this Sunday I was pleased to join. Windy Acres is about an hour and twenty minutes away, on the LIE, through lots of lovely fall foliage views.
We chose them because they have a small petting zoo, hayrides, a corn maze and pumpkin patches. Unfortunately, they did not have the U pick apples we came for, but it really didn't matter. It was great to get out into the autumn air on what might be our last day of warm weather.
if you really crave them, there are apples, as well as other vegetables, Halloween cookies, pies and cider in the market.
The most crave worthy goodies though, are by far and away the fresh apple cider donuts – truly the best I've ever tasted of one of my favorite treats on earth. The roasted corn was also great.
The petting zoo was minuscule but included a wild looking turkey that was fun to gawk at and the corn maze offered a relaxing walk. We opted out of the hayride, due to overcrowding, but the many families there seemed to enjoy it. We did pick out the perfect pumpkin, though and he'll be on haunting display Halloween Day.
See more: Places to Visit Halloween Long Island Outdoor Activities
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Posted on October 26, 2009
Places to Visit »Rockaway Shore Park
Weather thwarted all my planned beach days this summer, but I was determined last weekend to spend part of the last warm-ish day of the year near the ocean. After dropping off a bud at JFK, the Rockaway boardwalk was the most convenient place to take in a little salt air and, for a moment at least, relaxed by the sound of the waves crashing to shore.
It was too cold to actually go in the water, unless you were one of the brave surfers out there, but it's a peaceful place to stroll. Not much in way of snack and shopping in the nearby area, but there is a pretty sweet skateboarding park filled with hip little kids.
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Posted on October 19, 2009
Places to Visit »The Island of Giudecca
So I'm sure there's tons of guide books out there on Venice and how amazing and beautiful and unique it is.?Well for once pretty much all the good things one could say about a place are true.?But perhaps a lesser known gem of a stay in Venice is the island of Giudecca. ?br/>
It's across the Giudecca canal from most of the large tourist destinations, so it's a little out of the way, but that's part of what makes it so special. Being right across from everything means it has the best view of all of those sites, especially at night.?And being out of the way means it still has a local feel to it, for the most part.?Yes it has the famous Hotel Cipriani (the classic place for the 1960s celebrity set), a youth Hostel and the new Molino Stucky Hilton in an old flour factory,?all on its shores, but that's pretty much it.?The rest of the island is quiet and local.
Even if you don't stay on the island, its worth the trip there by a water taxi (AKA the vaperetto) or the free boat shuttle the Hilton runs (trust?me, they don't ask for proof you are staying at their hotel).?During the day you can witness a quiet slice of real Venetian life with local markets and shops, but the real magic on this island is at night.?At night the city across the canal lights up and the sleepy little island comes alive with a sort of mystical life.?There's several excellent little restaurants along the canal, which are all cheaper than the tourist traps across the way.
One we ate at twice, cause the staff of this family-owned place was so nice to us and the food was so good.?Another we only had a chance to eat at once.?It was a little further down the island and the food was pretty amazing.?We even made a friend of a local cat who sat in the empty third chair at our table and watched us eat. Perhaps he wanted my seafood lasagna, and the best tiramisu I've ever had, or perhaps he was just enjoying the view
Now if you don't get a chance to stay at the Hilton Molino Stucky like we did (we found a great deal on a travel site, I do recommend stopping by the hotel for a drink at their skybar.?It's at the top of the?8th or 9th floor of this incredible old factory building, and has the most unbelievable view of the city, since other nearby buildings aren't anywhere near as tall.?Enjoy a campari and soda or a spritz and you'll feel right at home as you watch the ships enter the harbor.
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Posted on October 12, 2009
Places to Visit »Lizzie Borden House
Special thanks to Ashleigh, for writing this post!
Every one knows the “forty whacks” story of the Borden family murders.?Lizzie Borden was acquitted, but ask any vox pop, and you will be assured of her incontrovertible guilt.?Now, thanks to the Lizzie Borden LLC, you can visit the actual crime scene, look at photographic evidence, witness a live reenactment, and decide for yourself.
Located in Fall River, the tomb of what was once one of the leading textile producers in the world, the Borden family house has been restored to its Victorian-era splendor and is open to the public.?Tours are given daily from 11:00-3:00 and many special events such as crime and trial reenactments by the Pear Essential Players are scheduled throughout the year.?Red Hatters are welcome for “Tea & Murder”!
The museum also doubles as a bed & breakfast.?You can rest your head and test your nerve in the room where Abby Durfee Borden was hatcheted to death.?The rooms are beautifully appointed in antique Queen Anne furniture, though the pieces are not original to the Borden family.?In case you get too comfortable lounging on the feather duvet, there is a large photograph on the nightstand of Mrs. Borden lying prostrate on the carpet, skull caved-in, gore abounding, in the very spot where you left your slippers before climbing into bed.
If you are ever in the Boston or Providence area, this place is well worth the 20-40 min ride.?The all-female staff of docents are wonderfully cheerful, exceedingly knowledgeable, and always dressed in sunshine and springtime-colored track suits.?There is a well-stocked gift shop where one can purchase Lizzie bobble-heads, hatchet earrings, and other essential Goth accouterments.?(By the way, Fall River is amazing.?You have not seen the real New England until you've driven over the Braga Bridge at dusk.)
See more: Places to Visit Massachusetts True Crime
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Posted on October 5, 2009
Places to Visit »Hick?s Nursery
While there are quite a few lovely gardening shops in the city, most tend to be a tad on the expensive side, and as we were working on the finishing touches to our sidewalk tree project, we decided to look for more affordable places. The suburbs of Long Island offered Hick's – a massive nursery that has been in business since 1853!
Clearly visible from the Jericho Turnpike, (and very close to the depressing Source mall that houses an Oshkosh – the new Fall stuff we've done is adorable!!), the nursery is almost overwhelming in its enormity. Staff is helpful, if not a bit on the grumpy old lady side, and we found amazing deals.
Our trees will be surrounded with an ivy like plant called periwinkle, that will hopefully bloom in the spring. We got each plant for half of five dollars, which let us go a little wild with some pretty flower bulbs too.
If you have kids, make sure to show up for the hay rides, and this fall there are plenty of event planned for adults like bulb planting seminars, the 7th Annual Pumpkin Weigh Off, and Houseplants for Beginners.
See more: Places to Visit Long Island Outdoor Activities
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Posted on September 28, 2009
Places to Visit »Logees Greenhouse
Ashleigh put up this great post on RC.
Logee's Greenhouse in Danielson, CT is one of the most magical places on the East Coast, maybe Earth. Here's what they say about themselves, all true:
Since 1892, the Logee-Martin family has been growing and selling over a thousand varieties of tropical container plants for home and garden. We are the exclusive source of many varieties, both heirloom and new introductions. Cross the threshold of our greenhouses and prepare to enter into another world. Hear the trickling sounds of the water garden, see lemons the size of grapefruits on the 108 year-old Ponderosa Lemon Tree, then take a deep breath of divinely fragrant air as you meander through lush vegetation. Whether you're shopping for beautiful plants or just have a desire to surround yourself in beauty, come to Logee's, we promise it's worth the trip.”
If you are ever in the area, don't pass through without visiting Logee's. It really is a special place.
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Posted on September 21, 2009
Places to Visit »Kapellbr?cke
My friend Shaun's job takes him to wonderful places. Like Kapellbr?cke in Lucerne, Switzerland, the oldest wooden bridge in Europe with hundreds of skeleton paintings from the 16th century adorning the ceiling. He took some great photos that you can view at Rotating Corpse.
The watchtower has a past as creepy as the imagery – it's been used as a torture chamber and prison.
See more: Places to Visit Europe Renaissance/Medieval
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Posted on September 14, 2009
Places to Visit »Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival
My friends have had such exciting adventures across the globe. This week, I share Ashleigh's trip to Brussels and the amazing looking Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival:
“The theme was the life and works of Peter Paul Rubens. It was held in a huge refrigerated tent and it was c-o-l-d.It'sa weird and kind of rave-ish place to want to transport myself to, but the hot mug of Gl?hwein they gave you to keep warm as you meandered through frozen Bizarro art history made it a thoroughly lovely outing.”
This year's celebration dates are to be announced here.