Summer Cruising on Lake Winnipesaukee

Among other things, one reason why I love going to New Hampshire during summer is Lake Winnipesaukee. And it appears that I wasn’t the only one who thought so. I met people from as far as California and Texas who came all the way to New Hampshire to visit its largest and most beautiful lake. How did I meet them? Well, let’s just say it was on board the M/S Mount Washington, a cruise ship that took us for a Sunset Dinner Dance Cruise on the lake. 

The majestic view of Lake Winnipesaukee is indescribable. The mountain ranges surrounding the lake are thick with trees and wildlife. As we glided across the water, habitable islands counting up to 240 would greet us as if we were on a vast sea instead of a 44,000-acre crystal clear lake. 

Here’s a picture of the breathtaking sunset we encountered during the dinner dance cruise. I think what made it even more glorious was the fact that we were in the middle of this nature’s gift and all we could hear was the breeze and some birds.

The buffet dinner filled me up I had to stand throughout the cruise to bring down the calories! Dinner was also accompanied by a rock n’ roll band singing the blues. I wasn’t much of a dancer but I had a great time watching couples make simple moves on the dance floor. 

Anyway, I heard that fall is also a great time to take a cruise and see the red and orange fall foliage that makes the biting cold worth it. Maybe I would if I’m not doing anything on Halloween. I think I’d look great wearing some catsuit at the Halloween Masquerade Ball. 

After a special evening of relaxing and chatting with other solo travelers like me, I headed to my bed and breakfast at the Inn on GoldenPond in Holderness. I was tempted to sink myself in the inviting hot tub but I had to resist. My early morning flight was ringing loudly in my ear; I had to make sure I got a good night’s sleep. Tired but happy that I made my own travel plans and my summer is just starting! Where is my next destination going to be?

Unknown East Coast Summer Destinations

The Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York

Summer time equals travel time. People across the globe save up money and vacation days to travel to places, new or old, and experience an escape from the normal routine. The East Coast of the United States has famous destinations like New York City, Boston, and Washington D.C. that take most of the attention of travelers. The big cities may take the spotlight but there are beautiful unknown destinations on the East Coast that you may not know about.

Vermont: 

Widely known as the “hippie” state of the East, Vermont has much more to offer than Ben & Jerry’s and maple syrup. Beautiful mountain forests, rolling green hills, and secluded lakes makes Vermont a nature seekers paradise. Vermont’s slow pace and easy living makes it a relaxing summer destination for travelers with an appetite for organic vegetables and unique craft beer. 

Type of Traveler: Nature seeking, pancake loving, beer snob hipsters.  

Upstate New York: 

Unknown to most Americans, New York is not just New York City. Upstate New York is home to the Adirondack Mountains, a unique mountain formation just off the highway. Filled with hiking trails, rivers, and lakes, the Adirondack Mountains and upstate New York is a summer get away for any adventure seekers. Take in a beautiful mountain view after a canoe trip at a small cabin nestled in the woods.

Type of Traveler: For those who like to fish, canoe, kayak, hike, and explore without flying out to Colorado.

Western Massachusetts:

 Boston gets all the hype in Massachusetts but it shouldn’t. The western part of the state is a unique destination full of history and beauty. The area is full of landmark small towns and museums galore. Stop by a historic inn like The Gateways Inn in Lenox that converted a mansion into a destination for travelers seeking to step back in time. There is also a prominent music scene in Western Massachusetts including area festivals throughout the summer.

Type of Traveler: History nerd, lover of jazz, and fan of small towns made of brick.

Winter Activities for the Family in Cape Cod

The subfreezing temperatures that Old Man Winter brings are enough reason to hibernate at home until spring. But maybe you could appreciate the frigid weather better if you visit some attractions that are available in winter. Cape Cod may be a popular summer destination, but there are still interesting activities that you will find there for you and your family. Plus, if you don’t like the heavy summer crowds, you will get your quiet time better during the colder months.

Thanksgiving Weekend Getaway in Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley is the best place in New York for a short weekend trip, especially on Thanksgiving holiday. Besides the view of the Catskill Mountains, there are also many interesting historic architectures and outdoor adventures that will keep any family member busy. Hudson Valley is also just a stone’s throw away from Manhattan, so any vacationer will love the dramatic shift of the hustle and bustle of the city to a relaxing natural ambience in the Hudson Valley. 

5 Landmarks Near New York Penn Station

As the busiest commuter rail hub in North America, Penn Station definitely has reasons why it serves 300,000 passengers a day. And if you’re a part of that number, you’re in luck because there are a dozen landmarks within walking distance from the station. Located right underneath Madison Square Garden, Penn Station serves as the gateway to the heart of the Big Apple. Do you have a few hours of layover at New York Penn Station? Well, you can explore Manhattan and see its world-famous tourist spots and still make it to your next train!

1. Empire State Building


This 102-story skyscraper has been in many classic Hollywood movies since it was built in 1931. King Kong (1933), An Affair to Remember (1957), and Sleepless in Seattle (1993) are just one of those movies that have established the Empire State as one of America’s favorite architecture. If you want to splurge and see New York from the highest observation deck in town, an adult ticket to the main deck (86th floor) costs $27, while a main deck plus top deck (102th floor) view is at $44.

2. Times Square


A major commercial intersection in Manhattan, Times Square has been called “The Crossroads of the World”, “The Center of the Universe”, and “The Great White Way”. In 2011, Travel + Leisure magazine has branded it as the world’s most visited tourist attraction, having over 39 million visitors every year. Since 1907, celebrations during New Year’s Eve have become an international event as the Times Square Ball drops at the stroke of midnight to signify the start of the New Year.

3. Central Park


I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about Central Park from the TV show Friends and the movie Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Make sure to visit this public park at the center of Manhattan and take part in any popular attractions there: rent a boat at the Loeb Boathouse, ride on a carriage horse, ice skate at the Wollman Rink, ride on the Central Park Carousel; or if you just want to relax, listen to the New York Philharmonic’s open-air concert available during summer on the Great Lawn.

4. SoHo


Artistry is in the blood of New Yorkers, and SoHo in Lower Manhattan is the location of many artists’ lofts and art galleries. If you want to go shopping for some trendy or eclectic clothes, a variety of stores from boutiques to international chain stores have mushroomed in the area. If you’re wondering what “SoHo” is, it means “South of Houston (Street)” and refers to the London district of Soho.

5. Rockefeller Center


Another National Historic Landmark in New York City, the Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings built by the Rockefeller family. You’ve probably heard of the Rockefeller in the music scene, contributed by the fact that the Radio City Music Hall was one of the complex’s first and most important tenants. And who could forget the TV show 30 Rock, which is named after the 70-story General Electric Building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The skyscraper is the NBC headquarters and home of many TV studios, such as The Dr. Oz Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Saturday Night Live.


From Asia to Europe to North America, Andrea can't wait to find out where her next travel adventures will be. While she saves up for her coming great escape, she is a contributing blogger for America by Rail. Plan your train vacations with America by Rail, a leader in the train tour and train vacation industry.

Alert Bay, BC

The beauty found in nature can be one of the most powerful and memorable parts of a vacation. A new favorite location for natural tranquility is Alert Bay, British Columbia. This town is located on Cormorant Island, a small island on the western coast of Canada. Not only does this area provide unbelievable scenery, but it is also a prime location for spotting one of the sea’s most majestic creatures, the orca. Retreats such as the Alert Bay Lodge offer seaside views where orca sightings are prime. Bird watchers will delight in the Ecological Rain Forest Park, while whale watchers will enjoy the innumerable opportunities to catch a glimpse of these giant creatures offshore.

The Calgary Stampede

Barrel racing at the Calgary Stampede. Photo by Chuck Szmurlo taken July 10, 2007 at the Calgary Stampede with a Nikon D200 and a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 lens. Please note that the logo for the Calgary Herald has been painted over. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Every July, Calgary comes alive with over a million visitors laughing, shouting, and enjoying a ten-day festival extravaganza. The Calgary Stampede serves as an iconic preservation of traditional Western culture and entertainment, notably featuring one of the largest rodeos in the world.

Historically, the Calgary Stampede began with agricultural exhibitions and industrial fairs, but as early as 1912, rodeo elements were added into the experience. One of the first great successes of the event was the 1919 “Great Victory Stampede” which served to welcome back war veterans after the First World War. With the advent of cinema, the Calgary Stampede gained exposure across the continent after several movies were filmed there in the 1940s. The event continued to grow throughout the 20^th century, and now enjoys audiences of over a million each year.

The Calgary Stampede rodeo features the very best competitors and livestock, and is thus by far the largest attraction of the festival. The tournament-style competition offers over $2 million in prize money, creating a high-stakes atmosphere that is exciting both for competitors and spectators. While the rodeo is the main attraction at the stampede, there are hundreds of other events to entertain all of its patrons. A parade kicks off the event, featuring marching bands, floats, and more. The event stays true to its roots and still hosts an agricultural exhibition, which draws a huge audience despite the fact that the demographics of Alberta have shifted to the point where only about two percent of the population is employed in agriculture. Other popular attractions include a derby, a market, and an area with carnival rides and games.

The Calgary Stampede generates a tremendous amount of economic value in tourist revenue, promotion of commerce through trade shows, and overall exposure and promotion of Calgary to the public at large. This extravagant event has made Calgary an extremely popular tourist destination during the summer. Additionally, the Calgary Stampede as an organization promotes volunteerism year-round, and utilizes over two thousand volunteers each year to make the festival happen.

For a tourist looking to attend the Calgary Stampede, the festival makes it easy and relatively affordable to select only the events of interest and purchase individual tickets or discounted packages. Calgary may seem like an inconvenient destination, but tourists actually have many options when it comes to visiting Calgary for the stampede. The Calgary International Airport is located a convenient twenty minutes away from Stampede Park, and there are ample accommodations for the large tourist surge in July. Additionally, there are many other options to get to Calgary such as a Canadian train tour which includes the Calgary Stampede as well as many other exciting destinations.

With its rich history and exciting events to thrill any audience, the Calgary Stampede seems like an experience that needs to go on everyone’s bucket list. For an unconventional and exciting vacation, look no further.

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