Entertainment & Events Archives - 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!

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.

US Open Tennis NYC

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’re a tennis fan, then the US Open Tennis Grand Slam Flushing Meadows event is a favorite. 🎾 And, you can enjoy NYC touring the Flat Iron Building district while you’re there. It’s close to the Eataly that I remember going to on its opening day. Those were the days. I worked in foodie restaurants and got to sit on the set of the The Martha Stewart show. Now, I’m really dating myself. 😅

And, the US Open tennis players back then are mostly all retired, but Djokovic had already won his first Glam Slam against Nadal and Federer.

With the New York US Open event, I especially like that the players get to express themselves in their sporty clothing (like I get to express my bright colors as I’m not afraid of the cuh-lah!)… and that’s totally different from Wimbledon pageantry where everyone wears white. But, that’s (white) hot too!

And coming up soon, there’s plenty to get excited about for the US Open Tennis…

The trophies are high-class Tiffany branded so they’re made by a NYC company. 🏆 Who would’ve thought it would be stylish to hold a trophy to sweeten the silver pot?

Do we think Djokovic or upsetting newcomer Carlos Alcaraz will win this time? And what about Swiatek or Jabeur for the Ladies trophy?

It’s anyone’s game… and that’s btw, why they play!

If you’ll be there or you live there in the NY or NJ area, you can check out mouth-watering foods served up like at the Flavors of the Open event happening during the US Open Tennis event (as a doubles event!)… this is super special because top local chefs will feature dishes, and there will be live music entertainment. We all could use a ‘lil hip-hop and pep in our step. You can read the lineup on their site.

David Burke is one of the chefs featured. And if you’re there you can also visit his restaurants! And for the cutest boutique stay, I love this place. Like I love hotels and I love New York! ❤️

And if you want to be in the thick of it in Queens ♕, this is a Flushing boutique hotel or a cool Brooklyn boutique with a stair-stepping building that fits in the NYC skyscraper skyline 🗽

take time to eat out during the US Open Tennis that's summer friendly

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.

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.

Minnesota State Fair Weekend Things To Do

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.

minnesota state fair has birthday funfetti cupcakes

The Minnesota State Fair is a great fun event to visit over a warm weekend, especially if you’re a foodie or if you have other Minnesota local agendas.

For foodies, there are 34 new official foods and 7 new food vendors participating. Of course, there’s funfetti Birthday Cake sprinkled 🧁 and long hot dogs 🌭 everything…

But there are also foods I would serve and add to the gourmet menu at parties and catering events I planned. Like creative flavor pairing eats: hummus with basil at Holy Land in the International Bazaar. That by the way is gluten-free.

…And fried green tomato sandwich, fried egg hole, or Halloumi cheese on toast. Plus, local unusual red-wine infused pizza sauce, huckleberry and lavender lemonades, St. Paul pickle kettle fudge, and churros with cinnamon ice cream. I mean c’mon 😋 this is so fitting for post-2020… (and I thought I was cutting-edge with gourmet popcorn jelly beans 🤣).

To win you back, this was my home contribution to angel food cake and ice cream (not bad, huh?)

angel food cake and ice cream are served at Minnesota State Fair

At the Minnesota State Fair, you’ll also see the purist Angel Food Cake competition (no strawberries 🍓 or glaze on top).

…Maybe you’re visiting family or checking out a Minnesota Vikings game at the U.S. Bank Stadium (Quarterback Kirk Cousins who used to be the QB for my hometown Washington Commanders).

…Or you’re in for a girls-only weekend checking out Mall of America (the mall on your bucket list of mega malls)… like East Coast Tysons Corner I and Galleria II that I grew up with.

Once in a while, a Cirque du Soleil 🎪 would come through on the limited real estate greens… but nothing like the entertainment scene at The Minnesota Mall.

But in Minnesota’s Mall of America, there’s more of a year-round fair feeling with the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park and water animals at the Sea Life public aquarium.

And for me, Minnesota hit the map when I learned about specialty scrapbooking. Some ladies were doing this in my office and I’m all about sharing photos and memories (…can you tell?). Creative Memories is from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and the whole scrapbook phenomenon.

I used to throw scrapbook parties for my creative outlet and go to the Scrapbook Expo Fairs in Chantilly, VA, and A Shopping Spree! in Raleigh, NC.

Some chase concerts, I chased scrapbooking events back then… and today concerts and fairs too!

And if creative is up your alley, the Minnesota State Fair has an agenda for creatives! 👩‍🎨

The creative activities include stamps, postcards, and baked product competitions with chocolate chip cookies, Bundt cakes, sourdough, and banana bread as a few categories. 🍞

And the Minnesota State Fair has tranquil artistic gardens (not your usual fair features). So take a looksy around 👀

The State Liberty Bell from 1921 is all green and dolled up as a dense topiary (I have a great sticker for that but no emoji 😊) with moss roses and 6,000 succulents 🌵that btw, we need for zen garden sustainability as cactus-like plants are very efficient and need little water!

And see the waterfall and herb features that you can easily miss around the regular greenery!

While gardens are the quiet areas of the fair, they are doing the community a world of good. And you can see the pop of color and pink roses everywhere if that’s your thing like it is mine.

And from there, you can do a small city trip…

You could stay close by in Saint Paul (the capital) and get a feel for the city. Some places have a very fairytale vibe with blue and gold silky fabrics bedding with frills and tassels. 🛏️

Blue Super Moons In The Air

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.

blue super moons can be in a shop window

With Blue Super Moons, you can see them everywhere in the world (like this Louis Vuitton shop window, haha) because the moon is super high close to the planet we all live on. And like an ordinary find such as Blue Moon beers 🍻, Blue Super Moon are earthly sightings… but unlike earthly occurrences, they happen every 10 years or so as the second full moon in one month. 🍻 That’s like twin moons.

And now that we’ve established Blue super moons are SPECIAL, the 2023 one was seen from Lake Michigan to Toronto to the Apollo ruins in Greece. And won’t return until after 2030. In my area, it was cloudy and rainy so I missed the super event live, but am over the moon seeing all the after-photos with the building foregrounds. 🌑 But you can find more natural spots too…

Next time you wonder where to catch the moon, the beach is a perfect place. After you check out the sunset on the horizon sitting on the cool sand, you can wait for the blue super moon to appear like glitter in the air.

🎶Pink “Glitter in the Air” song lyrics:

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself
Will it ever get better than tonight?

And then there’s the day…

When I was in elementary school, one of my favorite day field trips was to the Planetarium where we saw the 3-D planet films and constellation light experiences.

And these post-internet days, telescopes are still in great use. One of the largest telescopes is at the U.S. Naval Observatory in DC.

Today we can see the daily and current moon phase with NASA’s high-tech equipment. And if you want to check it out while you’re visiting DC, these are some great one-of-a-kind DC boutique hotels to stay at… and maybe experience and enjoy DC Restaurant Week.

Best Value Las Vegas Hotels

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.

In my corporate days, I stayed at many value Las Vegas hotels as the largest convention center in the U.S. that’s surrounded by 24-7 food, one-of-a-kind casino entertainment, and never-ending shows… You’ll never forget the ching-ching sound of slot machine coins that is like a ringing in th ear when you walk past and for weeks later.

It’s the amusement park experience times 10. And if you’re visiting for the first time, maybe you take time to get off-the-beaten path, and checkout the nearby wonder of the Hoover Dam just to get away from the glitz and glam for a few. Or if you love roller coasters 🎢, the most unheard-of Sahara Resort has a fast one on The Strip.

While in Vegas, you can expect nothing less than discounted Surf-n-Turf and high-end foodie experiences if you choose. Or Rain Forest Cafe for the kiddos. You won’t be disappointed with all the options. Martha Stewart even made a restaurant debut.

My fave walk-thru hotel is still the Bellagio that’s famous for its outdoor on-the-hour Fountain Show usually narrated by Tony Bennett (Rest In Peace) singing that’ll probably still go on… and the colorful vibes with Chihuly glass flower ceiling.

And if you want to feel like you’ve been whisked to another country or Venice to be exact (one of my fave places on this planet! 🚤), then the Venetian is a luxury hotel with a canal gondolier.

And if you want to be in the middle of it all, Paris, MGM, and Bally’s could be your choice.

But the hidden gem value is this hotel where you’ll get lush for a fraction of the cost of the other luxury hotels on your way to one of the oldest (Caesar’s Palace) and one of the newest (Wynn) hotels on the Strip. You can find a magic show from a previous America’s Got Talent winner and may even catch a free outdoor pirate show nearby on-the-hour in passing.

Don’t miss the value Las Vegas hotels so you have more to spend on entertainment and foodie adventures!