US Hotels Archives - Travel & Experiences at Boutique Hotels and Restaurants Around the World

5 Colors of Autumn In Boutique Hotels and Restaurants –2024

Colors of autumn are inspired naturally by leaf colors. Most leaves have soothing but fiery warm shades. And we see them mimicked in our everyday lives and things such as coffee and candles… book covers… and hotels too.

And if you’re a visual person, you may appreciate these colors of autumn hotel interiors listed below. Btw, did I mention that I come from an artsy family (my older sister is trained in interior design and my father was an architect)… so, I had no choice but to appreciate art, architecture, and design that was passed onto me in genes.

And as someone who grew up in the world of professional art stores, I appreciate the Pantone color charts, diverse 256-set Crayola crayon sets, paint chip wheels, and even changing up my nail polish chip.

Color undertones helped create a mood that counteracted the lesser parts of being a kid. And colors still please my inner child. 👧🏻

Today it’s even more inspiring to see a pop of color to bring joy to the day. And the fiery ones all around us in fall help us to warm up to the welcomed cooler and transitioning temperatures.

And, these aspiring common boutique hotel comfort and luxury items fit the unique colors of autumn profile… and that’s what I’m talkin’ about! 🎨

Palette Colors of Autumn Aspiration

Rooibos – warm red and brown colors of autumn

A woodsy brown-red from the South African tea. Rooibos that comes in many flavors including chocolate and vanilla is a red tea that doesn’t come from the camellia sinesis tree that green and black teas come from.

One of the my dreamy favorite places in the world (that could be yours too) is Venice, Italy.

I’ve been lucky to have visited twice, once as an adult and once as a child to wet my appetite. And while such a charming and cozy city allows no cars, there’s so much to do and see on foot or boat of choice.

And if you want to be surrounded around warm autumn rooibos and pumpkin colors, cinnamon brown leathers, and moody blues like the nearby canal waters, then this inviting Venice boutique hotel is a regal winner.

You’ll be inspired from the moment you see the bright butternut squash building and exterior wall colors.

Ochre – gold spec bronze color (aka brass)

Brass is the modern decor feature that adds some sassy and brightened flecks of gold sparkle to any interior. And if that’s one of the inspiring colors of autumn to you, then this super cool Pittsburgh boutique hotel with moody warm tones and tech-inspired artwork is a good find you want to check out.

The Heinz ketchup city has grown from the coal mining town it once was. And now the dark meets modern vibes that the city has grown into.

Caramel brown

You can find the changing tree leaf colors in the mountains and Adirondacks. And I came across this is cool fall foliage map that changes as the colors change. And you can change your scenic fall drive weekend to this year’s optimal peak. I would’ve thought it was early October that it once was, but that has all shifted to later in the northern hemisphere. For easy reference, the actual natural fall peak usually is around Halloween when pumpkins glow.

This walking bike path has all the colors of autumn.

Fiery colors like this landscape includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, and blue next to the Potomac River.

Canary Yellow

Modern canary yellow has a tinge of green to tone down, and is often paired with cooler neutrals like gray. In nature, you see yellow against green like the photo above.

Vintage buildings like those in Under the Tuscan Sun are closer to a yellow mustard than canary or a summer sunflower yellow.

And if natural colors of autumn suit your fancy, if you’re visiting Madrid, then this naturally decorated hotel has green, blue, and browns to mimick nature.

Another hotel that has rich color tones that match its surroundings is this modern hotel that opened circa 2019 against a historic backdrop outside Washington, DC. The colors of autumn there include blue like the Potomac River views, green tree, and brown twigs.

Brick Red

The autumn color of rusty red brick buildings and cobblestone pedestrian streets of Old Town Alexandria make a great backdrop to nature’s changing colors. And this historic area is where there are lotsa good Alexandria eats.

And if you like brick, you can find it in pink, orange, and maroon hues.

You also see lots of dark greens, like this natural ivy cascade found in autumn (amid warmer days and climate change).

Who says there can’t be pastels in colors of autumn? This is nature’s artwork at its finest. Would you agree?

The bridge material is the same color that is used for most of Washington, DC buildings of various marble blends. They are a neutral canvas for this fall Monet impressionist landscape “wall painting” that was captured on the path at Roosevelt Island.

Hidden Lake George Escape

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If you want to jump in a lake or be near one, a Lake George escape could fit your getaway profile. And what about the idea of staying in a cabin hotel, while being in the bougie meditative mountains? ⛰️

coffee mugs come with rainbows in this Lake George escape view 🌈

Lake George in Bolton Landing is part of the Adirondacks (where the Adirondack chair that you may own is named after). It’s a calming destination if you want to get your zen on and still be around people.

And there’s s’more entertainment… there’s firepit S’mores at night on one end …and by day, a mirror blue Infinity Pool awaits that seems to never end.

Put putt putt golf on the agenda, and pack tennis in between if you choose. And if you need more…

There’s a hidden gem wine shop across the street that you’d probably blast right past if I didn’t point it out. It’s not part of the resort. But another hidden ‘lil secret you may not know is that New York makes some of the best drinking wines.

Most people think California and Oregon are the only producing states for noteworthy drinkable American reds. 🍷

The Adirondack east coast terrain is favorable for vineyards and grapes. So it isn’t just in the drinking water in New York 🗽

Lake Geoge escape with the wine shop across the street — Adirondack Winery – shop across the Sagamore Resort

And staying at the Sagamore, you get these surprise experiences being at a fun resort property, and all the bells and whistles (and often weddng bells). There’s always a Cinderella ball gown or wedding dress event on weekends in case you know anyone who’s looking for a wedding venue. 💍

Hotel del Coronado is the White House hotel on the west coast, and the Sagamore Hotel is the White House experience on the east coast.

Sagamore Hotel lake george escape — Sagamore Hotel Lake George escape to lakefront and mountains

And there’s a fancy restaurant onsite in the main building inside where the hotel rooms are. But you’ll get the real deal vacation experience in the lodge cabin rooms that have a fireplace… and a relaxing stone shower backsplash that’ll remind you of the mountain backdrop from the windows and private balcony. With cabin robes, you can make your meals with a full kitchen and stove. It’s a hotel and a cabin all-in-one.🪵🎉

With all the distractions, you forget there’s a beautiful Lake George lakefront in front of you. As a hotel guest, you can catch a free boat tour on The George on your Lake George escape. 🚤 Now that’s a panoramic escape.

And if you can’t get a reservation at The Sagamore, don’t give up. There’s also a Best Western nearby that have quietyly moved up the hospitality ranks in standards.

And if you’re going to New York’s City that never sleeps, don’t forget to check out the water (😅) and New York Restaurant Week. 🍎

Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa

…What’s to know about the Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa (The Insider Scoop)?

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Fairfax is love and Virginia is for lovers ❤️

In the heart of Loudoun County, there is a Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa with roots along the Potomac River. There aren’t many resort spas in the DC metro area where Fairfax is in the middle… and you can count them on one hand, but none are the size of Lansdowne that’s also a place to play golf. I’ll tell you more about the spa scene below…

And if you’re visiting or moving to the Northern Virginia area or considering to do so, you probably want to get this insider scoop to get a lay of the area.

Lansdowne Resort (and golf course) is close to Dulles Airport. And this was where the next tech boom was supposed to happen (they called Netplex, and if you were there in the 90s when Lansdowne was built, you would have breathed that air). That’s where AOL headquarters was and making all the news headlines.

So surprisingly, for such a cultural, affluent, and tech hub-populated area just minutes from the most powerful city in America, there aren’t many big spas around.

Why?

…Many locals have gyms they go to that have pools, steam, and sauna access. Some and many living in the Tyson’s Corner/McLean/Great Falls area especially have personal home spas.

Close by, there are many small boutique spa service stores such as Elizabeth Arden in Reston’s Town Center (that btw, was also a new development in the 90s when the toll road was being built). The Red Door is also in Fairfax, and then you can find smaller spas like Circe or Sugar House Day Spa in Old Town Alexandria or Lorien Spa and hotel I recommend and has a restaurant good for special occasions… but requires taking a drive southeast towards the other side of the Virginia Potomac River.

Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa alternative — Brabo in the Lorien Hotel

But with these few and far between options for a large metro area, there’s a gaping hole for resort-type spas for wellness nearby within a 10-minute drive considering the stressful traffic during rush hour and go-go-go surroundings. You need a massage just to handle the traffic 🫣

If you want to go out further west from Lansdowne, you can visit the luxury Salamander Resort or go more mainstream with a Spa World spa day that seems to be popular with some locals.

In my day spa experience at the Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa, I spent a free day there to recuperate from a busy work season. I’d never tried the spa before and wanted to see if it lived up to its reputation since 1991 when I was far from checking out spas or spa services even though they were all around me. By the late 90s, I was working for Aramark‘s sister property to the Xerox Corporation campus (near Lansdowne) that had about 130,000 sq ft. of conference space and definitely could’ve used a massage. 💆🏻‍♀️

And when I was lucky to be at that spa place, being local I didn’t need a stay, but this resort has rooms and suites you can book and 4 restaurants ranging from country club tavern to golf and poolside eating options… a lot like room service.

So on my weekday visit, I decided to try a facial at the Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa Minerale. I found the resting room loud (not zen). It was more like sitting at a doctor’s office in a comfy robe and slippers.

But my spa service was good and I bought some one-of-a-spa-kind facial products that didn’t have expiration dates and small bottles that lasted for years. So that was worth the trip alone because spas usually have the better products they’ve researched and tested, and back up their belief by using on their guests.

And afterward, when I got into the spa whirlpool, I felt like a million bucks. I didn’t mind that there were others around because they weren’t chatting.

And if you’re in Northern Virginia and need a nice, economical place to stay, I recommend this newer, boutique hotel style…

You may have discovered this modern color-blocking, exposed ductwork ceiling look in the Aloft brand hotel. The Aloft in Ashburn or Dulles Airport area is close to Leesburg Premium Outlet mall. It’s convenient and they’re sustainable as they do in-room recycling. There’s a WXYZ Bar and a Re:fuel gourmet self-service convenience bar in the lobby in case you need a quick snack. If you like hanging out in airports, you could like this hotel concept.

And if you wanna use or collect your Hilton points, then the Washington Dulles Hilton nearby could be your temp stay hotel place.

My humble hotel work beginnings were at that location.

New York Restaurant Week 2019 and Hot Hotel Pick

(New York Restaurant Week in the summertime)

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skyline break from new york restaurant week dining out — NYC Skyline

New York Restaurant Week runs until August 16, 2019. A good reason to visit The Big Apple this time of year. You can try a James Beard Award Winner, Union Square Café owned by famous pioneer restaurateur Danny Meyer where you can have a chilled melon soup and brook trout “a la plancha” – a 2 course lunch for $31+. Having had dinner there, they simply take customer service to another level by knowing about their guests…and there’s no tipping allowed (read Danny Meyer’s book “Setting the Table”).

And another one to add to the list is the legendary Tavern on the Green in Central Park. You can have lunch there for $26++ (2-courses) and select an appetizer like refreshing watermelon and feta salad, with plated salmon or chicken kabobs. Dinner for restaurants participating is $42++ (3 courses). It’s one of those places you want to mention to others you went to.

Ian Schrager has a boutique-y hotel with sleek lines and cool vibe hotel lighting you can visit and stay at for a very reasonable rate, especially considering central NYC — in the heart of the City near Washington Square, SOHO, West Village, and whatever your NYC visit is about.

ICYMI, Schrager is the OG credited for putting boutique hotels as a new category on the map. And if that doesn’t strike a chord, he was the original co-founder and owner of “Studio 54” 🪩

The Hudson New York Central Park is a great hotel to stay at for many reasons. It’s a posh and busy hotel (a real see-and-be-seen type hotel), decorated and designed by world-renowned Philippe Starck. I love his clear stackable acrylic chairs that make the space seem light and airy. The weightless chairs come in fun colors are inspired by the hotel decor (and were in my stay in this Paris posh hotel I stayed at).

The lobby is very cheery with some brick walls and neon color lights and chandeliers, and a dramatic escalator leading to the lobby. The hotel is a great value in the location that it is, next to Central Park. It’s so close to Central Park which is one of my favorite parks… so peaceful and beautiful with the horse-drawn carriages lined up. I’ve taken one of those and it’s romantic. You can even get a New York-style pretzel right there in Central Park to top off your visit.

The only downside is that the standard room is 150 square feet shoebox size (and really meant for just one person or someone you know intimately, like a spouse or a good friend). Don’t let that turn you off, because it’s still worth every penny.

You save money and if you’re in NYC on a mission like trying the trendiest restaurants during NYC restaurant week, shopping, or visiting touristy sites, then you spend very little time in your room other than to sleep and shower. But yes, in a room this size you’ll probably bump into each other on the way to the closet or the bathroom and shelf space, which is all this room has.

My sister and I made a great stay of it because we were able to “bond” sitting on the bed and talking about our lives. But there are I think 8 or 9 sizes and styles of room, including a suite option that’s 450 square feet. Of the two times I’ve stayed there, it has been the best value. August always has good deals for under $200, which is amazing for the great location.

And they make wonderful drinks that you can sit in many areas to enjoy including the Lobby Bar and there’s a lobby library lounge that you can sit at also if you want to work on your laptop or chat on the phone without many others around. They are run by a group that is known for very modern chic hotels. I stayed at one in South Beach, Miami, Florida called the Mondrian.

In Miami, this is cutting edge with avant-garde room artwork with a Japanese cartoon girl’s face on one of the transparent walls separating the living area from the bedroom. And the pool was amazing along the Biscayne Bay in South Beach. Just trying to paint a picture of their brand and what it’s like to stay at another property. You feel very trendy on the trendy side of town but that’s less touristy than some of the Beach Week hotels where word gets around (like the famous 24-hour News Cafe restaurant).

Back in NY vibes, if you want to check out less touristy neighborhoods with a food scene, try Hell’s Kitchen district, but don’t let the name scare you. Or maybe you are curious because of the Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen food show.

There you are close to the best shopping in the city. And just a short subway or cab ride from the busiest Apple store and largest FAO Schwartz I’ve ever been to. My sister and I like to make a girl’s weekend getaway out of it. You are close to Time Square where all the crowds are. And you can people watch at the now very popular Bryant Park.

We go in the August summer usually when the US Open tennis match is advertised everywhere. It’s often New York Restaurant Week in the Big Apple. We’ve tried a few “foodie” New York restaurateur restaurants owned by David Burke (BTW, he has a restaurant that has a great rooftop seating view of One World Trade Center) and Joe Bastianich (aka related to Lidia Bastianich and Eataly) restaurants in great neighborhoods like Greenwich Village.

National Cathedral Lights (An Unconventional Church)

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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. 😊

NC Mountain State Fair near Asheville

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.