September 2023 - Travel & Experiences at Boutique Hotels and Restaurants Around the World

National Cathedral Lights (An Unconventional Church)

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

national cathedral lights that are unconventional features for the church

The National Cathedral lights up as one of the unconventional features, considering it’s the nation’s national cathedral and church. And it’s one I call home so I know it intimately.

During the year you can find it lit up with all kinds of surprises during the holidays and local impromptu events like the Washington Nationals taking home the win. ⚾️

You can still see the traditional Ex Nihilo tympanium scene lit up, where God breathed in earth (and light) out of nothing…

And in the day it’s all lit up through the stained glass windows. And to kids, the National Cathedral is known for its stain glassed space window that’s easy to find inside and the obscure Darth Vader grotesque that’s hard to find on the exterior. In case you’re wondering, that was a sculpture winner from a kid’s compettion that the National Geographic World magazine put out in the 1980’s.

And throughout the week, you can take a tour of the cathedral, that’s the nation’s symbol of peace and unity on your visit. And sometimes even a Tour & Tea where you sit seeing above the roof and looking out the window. 🫖

And learn all about the church that’s also home to so many special national events that the Presidents past and present attend.

It’s a modern cathedral built in the 19th century, so you’ll find all kinds of light up surprises. Downstairs isn’t your typical catacomb crypt you’ll find in many large churches. It’s much happier. You’ll find…

A large gift bookstore that’s an extension from the small one upstairs. And down the “secret passageway” stairs, you don’t want to miss seeing the celebration of life remembrance chapels.

On certain days of the month, you can find a labyrinth maze that’s meant to be a self-discovery moment…

The National Cathedral Lights also represents an opportunity for personal growth as it’s also known as the Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage. And in this maze you’ll go on your own inner journey, traveling on feet as fast or slow as you want.

This could be a wellness or sacred retreat. You’ll see others doing the same and sometimes there are classes you can attend online or in person. Just remember, you’re never alone!

And if you’re visiting from out of town and need best DC restaurant for groups and DC hotel recommendations that are a short drive or Uber ride from the Cathedral, these are my insider picks for you. 😊

Fall Color President Drives to Homes

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

You can appreciate fall color President home drives to former President Washington and Jefferson historic homes when you’re in Washington DC. And appreciate the two memorials (Washington Monument and Jeffereson Memorial) PLUS the Lincoln Memorial… and the current President’s home at the White House… and so much more!

Then within a beautiful 45-minute and peaceful drive from DC, you can take the no-stop (and no traffic light) George Washington Parkway to George Washington’s home.

Mount Vernon is one of the best fall color President home drives you don’t wanna miss. 💕 And you can visit year-round and visit George Washington’s home and the very large souvenir shop where you’ll find all kinds of local goodies.

You can also bicycle around on the GW Parkway Trail to get there from Alexandria which is one of my preferred ways. You can enjoy the memorial skyline, natural fallscape, and Potomac River water landscapes!

Weekends are a great time for either DC area drives or bikes as traffic is minimal compared to the work week.

And along the way, do stop off at one or more of these parks to have a break or picnic: Belle Haven Park, Riverside Park, or Fort Hunt Park where there’s a bike and pedestrian trail that’s a delightful shaded bike ride. 🚴‍♀️ These are my biased insider travel tips I’d recommend. 😉

And if you want to see the water AND also then the mountains, you can visit Monticello (home to Thomas Jefferson) just a couple hours away in Charlottesville. Which btw, has some of the best Virginia wineries.

To see more, stay in these DC-area hotels and spend less time in the car and more time enjoying and sightseeing. 🤩

NY Film Festival at Lincoln Center

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

new york film festival is at the lincoln center and the kennedy center is the largest performance arts theater

Are you a film buff who maybe visits the annual NY Film Festival? Someone who love cinema 🎥 and knows everything about diverse films that most people aren’t familiar with.

…If that’s calling you, then you’re probably excited when film festivals crop up around the world with fall’s crisp air… just in time to pack up the outdoor festivals and take them indoors.

The NY Film Festival at the Lincoln Center is one such festival that celebrates by unleashing a New York freedom of international films… a fitting melting pot liberty symbol that she (NYC) is.🗽

And the New York Film Festival has been a tradition since the 1960s when classic black and white films were popular.

The Festival has about double the 38,000 Cannes Film Festival attendees, in case you’re curious or counting.

And you can see the lineup of actor’s films like Bradley Cooper’s Maestro about Composer Leonard Bernstein (as a 2023 highlight).

But, besides the NY Film Festival, another reason to visit the Lincoln Center is it’s home to the New York Philharmonic. People often add “symphony” or “orchestra” to the end as a better reference.

…Which btw, a symphony is actually a music piece or composition, and an orchestra is the group of musicians that can make a composition with their harmonious instruments.

And the Lincoln Center is one place where this can all happen with live performances.

It’s a super unique center that’s worth a visit…

You probaby didn’t know that you can take 75-minute tours of the recently renovated Lincoln Center next time you’re touring in town. The David Geffen Hall is a new architectural masterpiece and amphitheater part of the Lincoln Center project that just opened in October 2022.

And in summertime, keep your eye out for the FREE Summer in the City event where Studio54 disco balls can meet modern Hip Hop dance. And sometimes flamingo (fun and deflatable) floats around minus the real Bird of Paradise and palm trees (well… maybe with climate change?).

When in the Big Apple in the summer, be sure to get some good NYC Restaurant Week eats

And if you’re heading to DC or down south, the busiest performing arts center is the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Close to the Potomac River waterfront in Georgetown, the Kennedy Center is a few hour’s drive from NYC. If or when you’re there, these are some great DC local restaurants and DC hotels to checkout. I met with many DC brunch groups for good eats!

Charlotte International Arts Festival (starts end of Sept.)

Charlotte uptown is home to the Charlotte International Arts Festival

If you’re looking for a travel idea you can drive to and get ideas or create some curiosity, then the Charlotte International Arts Festival is up your alley! The CIAF is worth a visit and it’s running for a few months so you can plan this out.

Stay overnight (and stay within your budget!) to enjoy the NC mountain and festivals in between. And if you’re doing budget travel, you can drive to the western NC mountains and Asheville just a couple hours away.

There are plenty of free event opportunities at this festival. And one of the event halls is connected to the tallest and most recognizable building in Charlotte, the Bank of America Building on N. Tryon Street. And S. Tryon Street just down the street, you’ll find the Bechtler Museum of Art that stands out year round with bright red ornament balls that’s easy to find and remember. And is a good photo opp. 🤳

And more city event photo opps include the Sky of Bubbles that has an ephemeral light and sound show. During the day, the bubbles have a blue, purple, white, pink, green, and yellow glow.

Think of those soap bubbles you blow that create fun and wonder. 🫧 And at night, anything can happen! So if you missed the natural Super Moon 🌑, this could be your chance to look up and be in wonder.

The emphasis on international carries across the cultural bazaar fair with Indian and Latin American performances. 💃🏻 You can find the new events between Uptown and Ballantyne. Diversity themes are trending.

The luxury Ballantyne Center boutique hotel and spa is swanky and spacious in the ‘burbs. Have you seen the luxury pools? It’s also a hotel home to a gingerbread competition if that spices up your life or if you want to walk into a grand staircase lobby feel with a can’t-miss child-high colorful floral centerpiece.

…That thought reminds me of 💭 when I worked in one specific luxury hotel early in my hotel catering days, that had a fab waterfall glass feature that ran from the hotel lobby to the mezzanine level. You don’t hear about those much these days! 😅

And in Charlotte, if you would like to be closer to Uptown (city center downtown), check out this roof top view hotel. The Charlotte International Arts Festival events are just steps or minutes away, so very convenient.

And what should you expect to find? For ticketed events, think jazz, Bier Garten, creative media artists, cultural dancers, mixed- media painters, and so much more! I guess you’ll have to go to find out 🎉

NC Mountain State Fair near Asheville

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

If you want to know where Noah’s Ark is, then the NC State Mountain Fair will answer that… as there are over 4,000 animals. That’s 100 times more than carnival rides they have (40 in case you wanted quick math).

And unlike some carnivals that have mystery rides (that they don’t announce until you’re there), these are no sketchy plans, as they rides are all listed here.

And the NC State Mountain Fair is a close drive to artsy Asheville, NC, where there are plenty of artisan displays to check out if arts and crafts and quilts are your thing. And the Asheville Early Girl Eatery is a good place to enjoy breakfast next to the mountains, and also now in Charlotte a couple hours away.

And enjoy Southern Comfort food at Tupelo Honey Cafe while you stroll the art galleries.

…Asheville, NC (…you may have heard) is full of world-class fun from picturesque Lake Lure (where Dirty Dancing movie shots were taken).

And Chimney Rock’s Hickory Nut Falls was a waterfall debut in The Last of the Mohicans. And of course is home to the Biltmore Castle where there was a recent Leonardi da Vinci exhibit. The castle is good also to see at Christmas time if you like decorated Christmas trees. Plus, there’s a Biltmore winery on ground that remind me of the Virginia wineries if that’s your thing!

Idea 💭 : you can rent a pontoon to enjoy the lake when the weather is nice. And staying at a downtown boutique hotel is a good idea. If you want a unique mountain rock feel in a resort atmosphere with a tennis court, then you can check this one out.

And that’ll put you in the natural mood to visit the Chimney Rock’s Hickory Nut Falls. The waterfall made a debut in The Last of the Mohicans if you’re a movie buff (where Acor Daniel Day-Lewis cried out, “I will come find you” to Madeleine Stowe’s character). And it was voted one of the best waterfalls in America helping to make America beautiful.

2023 Great Oktoberfest Events in U.S. Autumn Foliage

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

2023 Oktoberfest events are all over the U.S. like other festivals showing up annually in the early autumn. And during the fall, the Northeast in the U.S. is a great area to watch the autumn leaves fall backdrop. 🍂

Oktoberfest is edibly known for bratwurst, soft pretzels, German potato salad, large drumsticks, beer, and German desserts. Pennsylvania Dutch 🥨 with German mustard, please!

Sometimes there’s a Kirchdorfer band.. and t.here’s always fun lederhosen leather and dirndl bodice with full skirt 👗

Oktoberfest costumes that were once the work attire for farmers and peasants. They’d probably laugh at our suspenders and denim today. 😅

And our modern Oktoberfest tradition started in Munich, Germany in 1810 as a wedding celebration 👰‍♂️for the crown prince of Bavaria (…and reminds me of the make-believe Genovia in Princess Diaries for Genovia). The Oktoberfest events in U.S. today are definitely a celebration in spirit. 🇩🇪

And I got a ‘lil Oktoberfest German inspiration from The Great Britisth Baking Show… making my own gingerbread cookies batches that has become an Advent Christmas tradition.

Oktoberfest events in U.S. include german desserts

You probably remember your first Oktoberfest event you experienced that could’ve been with desserts

…My first Oktoberfest event was under the pavilion at the Reston Town Center.

Every year for several years, the winter ice skating rink was transformed into the famous German fest with blue and white checkered tablecloth tables.

And if you’re an Oktobest fan-goer, the ones below in the Northeast U.S. are worth a visit for the cool landscape.

The question is…

To kid or not?… while Oktoberfests are as common as county fairs, they differ in that these events are often more adult-friendly than family-friendly.

It’s kinda like deciding whether to take your kids to a concert or not. 💭 And good to research in advance. If you see gallery photos from previous years of beer pitchers 🍻on tables as the main focus, then probably better to keep the kiddos at home.

…But then if a petting zoo is on the agenda or you see kiddos in photos, then you know. And good to check out the plan in advance anyway, as some Oktoberfest have healthy adult mountain climbs and other exciting annual opps you don’t wanna miss… but remember, it’s rooted as a fun German ground fest with the Chicken Dance and not a serious yodeling Swiss Alps fest.

2023 Oktoberfest Events to Check Out

Bier Gar den Oktoberfest in Portsmouth, Virginia (my home state ❤️) – Saturday, September 30.

Das Best Oktoberfest in Baltimore, MD – Saturday, October 28

Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest in Newark, DE – September 15-17

Bavarian Oktoberfest in Canonsburg, PA – September 15-17

Oktoberfest in Portland, Maine – September 7 (where you can drive up the Maine coast to Bar Harbor and stay at a fab boutique hotel on the water)

And if you prefer to stay inland in the middle of the state, then Rangeley, Maine could be your Oktoberfest on October 8 (with cider seltzers and a 5K mountain opportunity).

New York Oktoberfest in New York City (on Pier 15)- September 8 – October 29. There’s no Little Germany, but this could be what you’re looking for.

Mountain Creek Resort 35th Annual Oktoberfest – September 21 – 22. There’s even a lodging boutique onsite.

Candle Retail Therapy Shopping

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

Does candle retail therapy exist? From my experience, I’d say it definitely DOES! And you can do local traveling to accomplish this and get your aromatherapy on!

When I go to shops and look and sniff at candles, I’m in candle heaven. Different from candy heaven but as you can see you get comfort foods in a sniff.

You don’t need to travel to the beach to get the beach sand coconut scent experience or even comfort that you can get with comfort food scents (mac-n-cheese 😁).

…and with fall in the air, pumpkin or salted caramel. That could spark coffee time ☕️

These days, the candle selections are vast and you won’t just get vanilla or apple choices. There’s a scent for everyone with special notes that’s similar to spice and perfume blends that make an overall scent unusual.

I’m waiting for the day when nail polish scents change. You probably don’t remember the raspberry, grape, and blueberry-scented markers like I do.

Or maybe the days when OPI red nail polish was popular and moved into all shades of red and now into the rainbow colors 🌈 …rarely do I see red.

Except in candles for fall.

And these are just a few places to shop for scented candle retail therapy:

Yankee Candle Outlet – at Premium Outlet malls.

HomeGoods

Marshall’s

TJ Maxx

Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Harris Teeter

Hallmark’s

And they make great housewarming gifts. You can’t go wrong with a candle gift, but you can go wrong with a wrong scent. So if you want to go for the most popular, stick with vanilla, citrusy, and evergreen scents. You can also find candles galore at Christmas stores and candle outlets near ski areas like the Poconos that’s a hop, skip and a jump from the Philly area where you can get your city and mountain experience. In the city, don’t forget to enjoy Philly Restaurant Week and maybe an overnight stay in a boutique hotel.

North Carolina Apple Festival

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

The North Carolina Apple Festival has been a family-friendly tradition for 80 years. And it’s in the pretty mountain areas west of Charlotte, in Hendersonville just minutes from Asheville, NC.

While the Main Street location sounds like Anytown USA, it’s no ordinary festival…

And what makes this festival stand out is the Street Fair Parade. And the theme? Apples! 🍎 But not just any apples… North Carolina apples. Even though fall is prime apple season, apples are available year-round.

And if you pay attention to what’s available, you see that certain varieties show up earlier and some show up later in the season… from Gala to Honeycrisp and Empire in mid-August to Red and Golden Delicious, and Fiji (my fave) in mid-Sept. You can see the NC list schedule.

And in case you haven’t heard, North Carolina because of the moderate, warm climate serves as a farmers market for many restaurants up north. The soil is perfect for agriculture and apple trees.

And the contests stay on theme with apple window decorating and apple recipes… are you ready for apple pie yet? 🥧

The King Apple Parade is on Labor Day (rain or shine). So you can count on this event every year… same day, same place. 📆

And from the North Carolina Apple Festival, you can head to the highest mountain peak in the Appalachian Mountains, Mount Mitchell ⛰️ just a few hours away. And to split up your days from festival to mountains, you can stay in between in the mountains at a modern warehouse boutique hotel with brick accent walls. Check out this one. Labor Day is the perfect time to enjoy the last summer days in the mountains with apples. 😊

And if that’s too far west for you, and you prefer to stay along the accessible I-495 area as you’re transitioning into fal, you can do some outdoor shopping… and here’s a Raleigh, NC outdoor shopping area cheat sheet guide.

5 Best Raleigh Outdoor Boutique Stores

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

Raleigh outdoor boutique stores are great when the weather is nice. You get to enjoy the weather and appreciate the live greenery. And my number one pick is Cameron Village.

You’ll see plenty of pink against black and white stripes and frou frou mini poodle decor, just to get a sense of the the scene ivbe. Put on your chic Jackie O’ sunglasses and get shoppin’ or window shopping.

Located closer to downtown Raleigh and Five Points area, this all-outdoor mall has everything from local honey and tea stores to clothing boutique stores (CT Weekends) that even sell Michael Stars. And look for the Carolina blue cupcakes.

And for outdoor indoor green for practical decorating, you can find a Michael’s Store at Brier Creek.

Raleigh outdoor boutique stores have green indoors too

Brier Creek Commons (near RDU Airport)- outdoors, you can drive around and stop for amazing chocolate and do all your one-stop shopping from specialty home goods, coffee, eateries, stationery gift stores, books, pet goods, wine, and package shipping.

Streets at South Point (Durham) – has small outdoor boutique stores and you can enjoy with your non-shopping partners who just want to sit down. And once in a while, you might even catch a street performance.

North Hills (North Raleigh) -this is the posh outdoor boutique store area that has all the one-of-a-kind boutiques… And get your hair cut at Salon Blu boutique hair salon in case you find yourself needing a haircut in town.

Triangle Town Center (Northeast Raleigh closer to Wake Forest)- this is a gigantic mall… and close by if you need some good fabrics for your projects, there’s a boutique-worthy Mill Outlet Village fabric store with checkers and prints and every pattern you can imagine. 🎨

And now that your head is spinning with ideas, here’s how you can optimize your time by narrowing down which outdoor shopping areas you should visit.

Which best outdoor boutique shopping area should you go to if you need…

A unique wedding gift for someone: Cameron Village

An anniversary gift: The malls, Triangle Town Center (unique mall stores) or Streets at South Point (Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, jeweler, sports store). Belk and Nordstrom at South Point

A birthday party gift or planning a party: Brier Creek Commons (Target, Party Store, Hallmark)

Furniture: Southpoint (Lovesac, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel)

Home furnishings: Target and Home Goods at Brier Creek Commons and unique furnishing stores in Cameron Village and North Hills

Apple electronics: South Point or Crabtree Valley Mall if you want to stay in Raleigh (…and if you get hungry, you can’t go wrong with The Cheesecake Factory while you’re there).

Back to work fashion: Streets at South Point (Anthropologie, Lilly Pulitzer, Lucky Brand, Loft, Express, Free People, Gap

So now you know which Raleigh direction you’re heading in

And if you would like a nice unique spa stay in a tranquil setting, try The Umstead in Cary (that’s no longer the Contained Area for Relocating Yankees). And if you want a beachy spa experience a few hours away, you can drive to OBX and visit this Duck hotel spa.

2023 Philly Restaurant Week Best

This post contains affiliate links. You do not pay additional by making a purchase through an affiliate link, which helps to support this blog’s livelihood.

Depending on what cuisine you like, at 2023 Philly Restaurant Week there’s something for you. After Labor Day’s big Made in America Music Festival curated by Jay-Z, or Parx horse races, you can get your fill of good Philly eats.

Center City District 2023 Philly Restaurant Week has lobster pot pie, mac-n-cheese, arancini, and peach desserts on the menu, so there’s something for every taste! 😋 And you like seafood (see-food 👀), you’ll like my best picks…

Philly restaurant week has lobster dishes like this lobster macaroni

In 2023, it’s $45/3-course dinner and $20/2-course lunch. Forget cheesesteak hoagies for this one because this is the finest aged cuisine brought to one of the oldest cities in America:

Some fave highlights are seafood and Italian cuisine.

The 40-year old Oyster House (BEST seafood) is offering luxe Lobster Roll (chilled New England Style with fries), four oysters. and chocolate panna cotta as a sample $45 menu… that’s a lotta lob and oy-STAHS that are hard to resist! 🦞

And if you’re allergic, then maybe the 30-year old Alice Pizza restaurant inspired by authentic ❤️ Rome foods, can be your new love. Oozing Burrata cheese, Jumbo shrimp (gotta love the oxymoron! 🍤), Amatriciana famous Roman pasta, and sfogliatelle pastries with vanilla gelato or traditional tiramisu. Seafood and cheese are okay in Philly!

And if you want to get really authentic, you may want to try…

Gran Caffe L’Aquila with cinghiale meatballs, monkfish puttanesca-style, and gelato made by the Italian & World (Gelato) Press Champion, Stefano Biasini, that’s like winning the World Cup of Gelato. 🍨

And if Italian isn’t your food vibe, you’ll also find German, Middle Eastern, Thai, and so much more.

Philly is an easy drive on the east coast.

If you need a stay recommend, this is a boutique hotel with so much inspiring charm from the cute building to the mood room interior mod-design headboards adorned with black and white (trending) striped drapes…. NOT your boring blah-beige or solid-color window treatments. And if you look up in the ceiling, you’ll see different mod features you’d see in HGTV dream makeover homes. And for an eclectic feel of unusual art and mix-n-match patterns, this is a moderate-affordable stay worth checking in and checking out!

…And you may be interested in the NYC Restaurant Week or DC Restaurant Week just a few short hours away.