Haunted Happenings in Salem, Massachusetts

October is the perfect time to visit Salem, Massachusetts. The weather is cool and crisp. And Halloween activities are in full swing. After all, the nation’s infamous witch trials took place right here in the 1600’s. The town celebrates its past with haunted houses, carnivals, Eerie Evening Tales, plays, ghost & legend tours, and even a Haunted Harbor Cruise.

But, it’s not all about the fun Halloween festivities here. No visit would be complete without a visit to The Salem Witch Museum and The House of Seven Gables.

The Salem Witch Museum

Since 1692, Salem has been associated with witchcraft. We’re not talking about Glenda the Good Witch either. In 1692, witchcraft hysteria spread like wildfire throughout this region. Over 400 people were accused of witchcraft. 19 people were hung and one person was pressed to death. The hysteria and fear led people to accuse friends, neighbors, enemies, and even a dog of unspeakable acts. In the end, it was proven that none of the accused were witches.

This museum takes you back to 1692 and gives you a front row seat at the infamous witch trials. A combination of special effects, narration, and life-size figures provides a chilling view of the events. You’ll witness Tituba, a West Indian housekeeper; tell the Salem Village children stories of the Devil. (This was the main cause for all the hysteria.) You’ll see the hanging of George Burroughs. And as you walk out, you’ll be extremely glad you didn’t live here during the 1600’s! Visit www.salemwitchmuseum.com for additional details.

The House of the Seven Gables

In 1851, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote one of his most celebrated novels, The House of the Seven Gables. This fictional story opens as a distinguished colonel accuses a local man of witchcraft. Although the story may be fictional, the house is not. It was built in 1688. The Turner Family called it home for more than a century.

Today, you can tour the real House of Seven Gables that served as the inspiration for Hawthorne’s novel. Professional guides led informative tours through the house and even give you a glimpse at the famous secret staircase. You can also visit Nathaniel Hawthorne’s home which was moved onto the property back in 1958. He penned many of his famous works right inside this house. Then, wrap up your visit with a stroll through the beautiful Seaside Gardens. For more information, visit www.7gables.org.


Interested in learning more about planning a trip to Salem? Visit www.hauntedhappenings.org. It’s the “Official Website for Halloween in Salem.” You can find a complete listing of all the big events and information about accommodations and restaurants.

Halloween Haunts, Frights, and Thrills at Florida’s Theme Parks

Florida’s biggest theme parks are gearing up for a frightfully ghoulish time this Halloween season. From tricking or treating with Disney characters to haunted houses and scare zones that rival any Boris Karloff movie, there is something for everyone. After all, Halloween is not just for little kids anymore!

•Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights – This is the granddaddy of all Halloween events. Universal Studios has made some of the most memorable horror films and they have used that movie magic to transform the park into The Nation’s Premier Halloween Event! Haunted houses, scare zones, and live entertainment are certain to scare the living daylights out of any guest. This year there are 8 haunted houses including The Forsaken (Christopher Columbus’s 4th ship was doomed to a watery grave and the crew are seeking vengeance), Winter’s Night (a gothic cemetery that is anything put peaceful), and Nevermore: The Madness of Poe (based on Poe’s works). Scare zones (6 in all) will have creatures popping out at you and have you wondering if your luck has run out. Plus, some of the park’s most popular rides are open too.

Event runs on select nights from September 23rd – October 31st. Children under the age of 13 are not advised to attend. Separate ticket is required. Florida Residents can save up to $40 with a UPC from a Coca-Cola product or specially-marked cups from Burger King restaurants. For more information, visit www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando


•Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Disney is not to be outdone by Universal Studios! Mickey Mouse is inviting children of all ages to come and trick or treat at the Magic Kingdom. You can wear your costume (or not) and trick or treat throughout the park. No Mary Jane candy here – kids collect plenty of the good stuff! Plus, there is a special Mickey “Boo to You” Halloween parade led by the Headless Horseman, opportunities to take pictures with your favorite Disney villains and characters, and a spectacular Happy Hallo Wishes fireworks show.

Event runs on selected nights from September 13th – November 1st. Separate admission ticket is required. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/


•Sea World’s Halloween Spooktacular - The best part about Sea World’s Halloween activities are they are included in your admission ticket! On select days, children are encouraged to dress up in their best Halloween costume and come trick or treating at the park. There are special shows like Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween Live Stage Show, Halloween themed games, face painting, and Penelope’s Party Zone where kids can make their own candy apples.

Event takes place on select weekends in October. For more information and to purchase Sea World tickets, visit http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/Events/SeaWorlds-Halloween-Spooktacular

It’s Time to Plan Your Fall Foliage Getaway to Great Smoky Mountain National Park!

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the perfect place to plan a fall foliage getaway. Around mid-October, the thick, lush forests begin turning into a tapestry of orange, yellow, and red. Deer meander through valleys bursting with those beautiful fall colors. Black bears are out foraging for that last bit of food before they begin hibernating. Colorful leaves gently fall as the Little Pigeon River peacefully winds through the park. And the best part is you don’t have to hike miles to see the most scenic parts of Great Smoky Mountain National Park!

Auto touring is the best way to see the park’s colorful fall foliage show. With a speed limit of just 30 mph, visitors can take their time and stop at the many overlooks to snap that perfect picture. You can simply drive through the park or veer off the beaten path. We recommend:

•Cades Cove Loop – Arguably the park’s most popular drive, this 11 mile loop gives you a glimpse of country living in the 19th century. There are 19 stops along the way where you can tour historic churches, cabins, and even a working gristmill. But that isn’t the reason to take this drive in the fall. Cades Cove sits in a valley. Turn to your north, south, east, or west and you will see some of the most beautiful fall foliage covering the mountain sides. Reds may dominate one mountain while yellows dominate the rest. Plus, deer and other wildlife love to frequent the area!

•Newfound Gap – Pull into the gigantic parking lot at Newfound Gap and prepare to see one of the most beautiful vistas on the East Coast. The gap is not only the center of the park, but the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains. On a crystal clear day, you can see brilliant fall colors for miles. No hiking is required – the vista is right in front of the parking lot!

•Clingmans Dome – Fall colors make their first seasonal appearance on the road to Clingman’s Dome. Why? Well, this is the highest area of the park at 6,643 feet. More beautiful scenic overlooks of North Carolina’s towering mountains are at the end of this road. If you’re in good shape, consider taking the hike up to Clingmans Dome. The ½ mile trail is strenuous, but the view is second to none. Note – this road has been known to close in October due to snow!

•Roaring Fork Motor Trail – This narrow, 6 mile loop allows you to escape touristy Gatlinburg and descend deep into a lush, thick forest. As you turn onto the trail, roll down your car’s windows. You’ll quickly understand how the trail gets its name as a mountain stream roars throughout the forest. The forest is so thick that sunlight has a tough time penetrating through. Bears love to frequent the area, especially down by the stream. Beautiful fall colors make this area one of the more enchanting places in the park.

For more information about Great Smoky Mountain National Park and fall foliage updates, visit www.nps.gov/grsm

New Mexico’s Natural Wonder – White Sands National Monument

America’s Southwest is known for its spectacular scenery – the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Petrified Forest. But, tucked away outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is one of the West’s most amazing natural wonders - White Sands National Monument. Towering dunes of White Sand transform this harsh, desert landscape into sheer beauty.

What makes this place so amazing is the fact that sand here is made from gypsum. It’s pure white and has crystal-like properties. Why? Well, millions of years ago this area was covered by a shallow sea. Gypsum was deposited on the sea floor; the Ice Age happened (along with some other events), and there was no outlet for the water to flow out to the ocean. As the water evaporated, the gypsum found its way to the surface. Prevailing winds blew the gypsum, creating the dunes. In fact, the process continues today!

You can easily spend half a day exploring this monument hiking and taking in the amazing scenery. We recommend the following to explore all the area has to offer:

•Visitor’s Center – Your 1st stop should be the historic adobe visitor’s center. The center features geology exhibits, a short film about the park, and information about any ranger programs that are taking place. Plus, it’s your last chance to stock up on snacks before you begin exploring.

•Dunes Drive – This is your chance to drive right through the dune field! It’s an 8 mile drive, on a semi-paved road, that provides fantastic picture taking opportunities. There are plenty of places to pull off and take in the scenery or even eat that picnic lunch. Total drive takes at least 1 hour

•Dune Life Nature Trail – It’s extremely difficult for plants and animals to thrive here. The sand is constantly shifting, but there are a few hardy souls that make it. This 1 mile loop trail allows you to walk directly on the sand and see some of that hardy vegetation. Yucca plants and cactus dominate, but don’t be surprised to catch a glimpse of the bleached earless lizard. Moderate difficulty, bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen – there’s no shade!

•Heart of the Sands – Here you can play in the sand and even sled down it. Purchase your waxed plastic snow saucer at the gift shop for a ride like no other! Children of all ages are welcome to play!

•Interdune Boardwalk – This easy, 650 yard, hike takes you through the dunes to a scenic overlook. Wildflowers have found a way to survive in this area too. You don’t have to be in great shape for this walk – it’s wheelchair and stroller accessible.

The park also offers Full Moon Tours, Stargazing Parties, Sunset Strolls, and guided trips out to Lake Lucero. For more information about planning a trip to White Sands National Monument, visit www.nps.gov/whsa/

Note: White Sands Missile Range surrounds the Monument. It is an active missile range and testing can cause U.S. 70 (the road between the park and Las Cruces) to close throughout the week. Before heading to the Monument, call (575) 678 – 1178 for road closure details.

Car Lovers Gear Up for Cruisin’ the Coast

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is gearing up for an invasion of classic cars! Muscle cars, hot rods, woodies, and other classics will descend on the area for the 15th annual Cruisin’ the Coast. This year’s event promises to once again be “America’s Largest Block Party.”

If you love classic cars, then mark your calendar to visit Biloxi and Gulfport this October 2 – 9. Classic beauties will cruise up and down scenic Highway 90 and strut their stuff in the Long Beach Parade. Car lovers will flock to the enormously popular Swap Meet to swap car stories, parts, and even sell a few cars. The music of the 50’s and 60’s will be blasting on the beach and at the casinos. Burnouts will take place by the Bay. You even get the chance to meet the ultimate Classic Car guy, Dennis Gage. And then there’s the Flame Throwing competition, poolside, at the Hard Rock Casino.

Over 4,000 car owners have already registered for this event! So, there will be plenty of rides to admire. But, Cruisin’ the Coast isn’t all about the cars. Plenty of entertainers head to the area’s biggest casinos to crone those fabulous 50’s and 60’s tunes. See a car you might want to purchase? Well, there are those big casinos in Biloxi where you can play slots, blackjack, and more to win some money. Plus, there are those beautiful Gulf beaches to enjoy, golf courses to play on, and sumptuous Gulf Seafood to savor.

Now, you don’t have to own a classic to enjoy the Cruisin’. It’s an event that’s as much for lookers as it is for the car owners! To view the complete event schedule, visit www.cruisinthecoast.com .

Pensacola’s Naval Aviation Museum Soars

Pensacola, Florida is known for its sugary-white sand beaches, delicious Gulf Seafood, and one of the country’s best aviation museums, the National Naval Aviation Museum. Every naval aviator flyboy (or fly girl) comes through Pensacola Naval Air Station to earn their wings of gold. So, what better place to house the nation’s premier collection of Naval Aircraft?

It’s a museum like no other. Here, you can walk aboard the actual wooden flight deck from a World War II aircraft carrier. Travel back in time to Pensacola circa 1940’s to see what life was like as the boys went off to war. Find yourself on a Pacific Island as American forces advance across the Pacific. Walk through a World War II aircraft carrier, complete with a pilot ready room. Go deep below Lake Michigan in search of World War II aircraft. Take a tour of a flight line filled with vintage, historic Navy aircraft. Test your aviation skills inside an F-14 Tomcat simulator.

Then, there’s the impressive collection of airplanes. The museum is land out by period, beginning with the first Navy aircraft. Fantastic displays show just how far aviation came in such a short time period. See the massive NC-4, the first airplane (aka Flying Boat) to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Marvel at the Blue Angels suspended high above in a 7 story glass atrium. Take a look inside a PBY Catalina. Get your picture taken by a Tomcat, Hellcat, Viper, or Hornet. Peak inside a K-47 flying airship.

And, there’s more. The much anticipated Hanger Bay One opened in late 2010, paying tribute to post World War II aircraft. Walk up the stairs of a Presidential Helicopter that once flew President Nixon. See the Navy’s last flying boat, the SP-5B Marlin. Check out the R4D-5L Skytrain and P2V-1 Neptune.

Make sure to stop at the Cubi Bar Café for a cold drink or sandwich during your visit. It’s a replica of the famed NAS Cubi Point Officer’s Club in the Philippines. The plaques hanging on these walls came directly from the Cubi Club. The food’s great too – the best on the base!

Admission to the National Naval Aviation Museum is absolutely free! Try to take one of the free guided museum tours that are offered throughout the day. The guides are all retired military and provide fantastic insight on the history of Navy aviation. Plus, you can see the Blue Angels practice on select Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year!

For more details, visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org

Bike down a 10,023 Foot Dormant Volcano? Only in Hawaii!

When you think of a Hawaiian vacation, you probably imagine sitting on a sun-drenched beach with a Mai-Tai as palm trees sway in warm tropical breezes. That is, after all, the quintessential tropical Hawaiian vacation. But what about biking down a massive, towering volcano? You can in Maui, with little effort at all!

Haleakala towers above Maui, rising over 10,000 feet into the sky. It’s the volcano that helped shaped this island all the way through the 17th century. Scientists say that one day it could erupt again, or it couldn’t. Native Hawaiians hold the volcano with deep reverence. And, on a clear day, Haleakala seems to pierce its way all the way up to the heavens. So, adventure companies decided to offer visitors the adventure of a lifetime. Bike 28 miles down a 10,023 feet volcano in just under 4 hours, without having to pedal!

It’s a bike ride like no other on the planet. You begin your ride on top of the world, where the landscape is rocky, harsh, and virtually barren. As you coast down, you pass through the fertile farm land of Maui where the famed Maui Onion grows, cattle roam, and flower farms are plentiful. Then, you end up down by the ocean in the town of Paia, where a refreshing drink is waiting for you!

Of course, the bike ride alone is thrilling enough. Bikers get to ease into switchbacks as they take in absolutely gorgeous views of one of the most beautiful islands in the world. But, there is another benefit. Haleakala offers some of the most gorgeous sunrises on the planet. As the sun creeps over the crater, the sun’s rays play off the numerous cinder cones, creating a rainbow of colors. So, these adventures companies offer Sunrise Bike Tours of Haleakala. But, you will need to be an early riser to take the sunrise tours. Adventure operators pick you up at your hotel around 2:30AM!

Do you need to be a world-class bike rider and in terrific shape to ride down Haleakala? Absolutely not! If you can ride a bike and are in decent shape, you will do just fine. In fact, most tours have a safari van follow the bike riders. If you get tired or are uncomfortable on the bike, just hop in the van and ride down the volcano in air conditioned comfort.

Interested in learning more about adventures on Maui? Our Maui Pocket Travel Guide can help. Learn about off the beaten path adventures, receive 4 distinct Maui itineraries, discover the best places to stay (it’s not the big chains), where to eat, play golf, and beaches that offer the best in snorkeling, swimming, and walking.

Have a Kindle, IPhone, or IPad? Then, purchase the Maui Pocket Travel Guide directly from the Kindle Store: www.amazon.com/dp/B005G0JJA6. Or purchase the PDF version from our website: www.greatamericanvacationideas.com/Hawaii.html