SPENDING A AFTERNOON AT MILLERIDGE VILLAGE

Across the parking lot of The Milleridge Inn you can freely enter a tiny little village composed of different little stores. When you arrive, there is free parking between The Milleridge Inn and the Village.

From the parking lot we entered the village next to Milleridge Cafe and stumbled across their menu of shakes. It was surprisingly chilly when we went so we skipped out on ice cream but quickly saw there was a bakery!

Don’t skip out on lunch here! They have a awesome menu with a variety of foods and affordable prices! I highly recommend their bomb french toast made from the cinnamon bread at the bakery. Take a look at their menu here!

If you plan to visit around Thanksgiving or through the month of December, they do offer dinners that you can reserve ahead of time.

The Milleridge Cafe is closed on Monday, but open Tuesday 9am-5pm, Wednesday 9am-8pm, Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday & Saturday 9am-7pm, and Sunday 9pm-6pm.

*Friday, Saturday and Sunday ice cream only 5pm till closing time.

The Milleridge Bakery had to be my favorite thing about my visit! They offer delicious selection of cakes, breads, pies, and other treats that are prepared daily.

The Milleridge Bakery is closed on Monday, but open Tuesday 9am-5pm, Wednesday 9am-8pm, Thursday 9am - 5pm, Friday 9am- 7pm, Saturday 8am-7pm and Sunday 8am - 6pm.

Right next door is the General Store, filled with novelties and home decor! When coming here, this cute little store is a must! Get yourself some candy and continue exploring the little village.

The General Store is closed on Monday & Tuesdays, but open Wednesday 12pm - 8pm, Thursday 12pm- 5pm, Friday & Saturday 12pm-7pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

If scary haunted houses aren’t your cup of tea but still want to do something fun during the spooky season I would suggest coming here!

All the activities will be open every weekend in October till the 27th from Friday 6pm-10pm, Saturday 1pm-11pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Prices for Halloween Attractions

There sure is plenty of entertainment for such a small village, every weekend in October Milleridge Village is offering spooky rides, a pumpkin patch, face painting, a magician, a stilt walker and even a fire eater!

Trust me when I say there is lot of photo opportunities here! Take your picture at the Biohazard Gardens as the plant from the Little Shop of Horrors, on a stack of hay, or even next to Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas!

In conclusion I recommend coming by, we sure enjoyed the quaint little village just keep an eye out for the chickens that stroll around. We came just in time for their Halloween decorations, can’t wait to come back to see their Christmas decorations!

It’s important to note that all stores including the bakery and cafe are closed on Monday.

Address: The Milleridge Village, 585 N Broadway, Jericho, NY 11753

Price: Free admission. Rides & Attractions are priced-per-person.

Cash only accepted.

ENJOYING THE PERFECT WEEKEND IN GREENPORT, NY

Greenport located in the North Fork of New York is roughly two hours from Manhattan and accessible by MTA Long Island Rail Road. Take the train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma, then all the way to Greenport, it varies how long it will take but it’s roughly an hour and a half. A few things to expect when visiting is trendy restaurants, vintage stores, and charming neighborhoods.

We started our morning by spending some time shopping for fruits and veggies at the local farmer’s market. We headed further east and started exploring downtown Greenport.

What is there to do in Greenport?

Mitchell Park

There is plenty of seating to relax and watch the boats sail in the marina, there also happens to be a indoor carousel located in the center of Mitchell Park.

While visiting Greenport we happened to notice there wasn’t any restrooms available to the public. We went to a few stores, a coffee shop, and even a grocery store until we grabbed a map of downtown when we saw there was public restrooms located in Mitchell Park (right behind the Village Blacksmith).

Antique Carousel

Within Mitchell Park there is a old fashion carousel built in 1920. For just $2.00 a person you can enjoy a 15 minute ride, try your chance at grabbing a brass ring to get a free ride! If you don’t feel like riding, take a seat at a bench and people watch while relaxing.

Nova Constellatio Gallery

If you enjoy browsing through art I would suggest stopping by Nova Constellatio Gallery to view the beautiful nautical pieces that are for display. The gallery itself belongs to contemporary artist Isabelle Haran-Leonardi, some of my favorite pieces I came across were of lighthouses, I highly suggest taking a quick look.

67 Steps Beach

If you are looking to get away for a few hours take a quick 8 minute ride to 67 Steps Beach to get some awesome views of the water.

I’m sure a lot of people know about this beach since it is a public beach and there is parking along the entrance but it truly felt like a hidden gem since there wasn’t anyone there when we stopped by.

So if you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy a picnic or take some awesome pictures I suggest adding this to your list of must-gos in Greenport!

Walk through the history of Greenport

1840 Schoolhouse Museum

There’s a couple of museums you might want to check out such as Greenport’s first schoolhouse, the 1840 Schoolhouse Museum, or the Stirling Historical Society Museum-Ireland House, where you can tour and see what life was like in the early-1830s in a original Greenport home.

The Village Blacksmith, 101 Front St, Greenport, NY 11944

The Village Blacksmith located next to Mitchell Park is charming replica of a building that stood in the 1870s. The shop is open on the weekends for people to visit. For a small donation of $2.00 you can watch the blacksmith work and learn about the trade of blacksmithing.

Greenport Jail, 232 Carpenter St, Greenport, NY 11944

This early 1900s jail holds photos and memorabilia from the Greenport Police Department which is now closed but groups or classes can call the Village of Greenport to make reservations for a tour.

Where to shop in Greenport, New York

Burton's Book Store, 43 Front St, Greenport, NY 11944

This adorable book store has a great variety of children’s books, along with creative toys for little ones. If you are looking to grow your home library or have any children who would enjoy creative and unique books it is definitely worth taking a look!

The Times Vintage, 429 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944

If you are on the hunt for a good vinyl record, search no more this awesome vintage store has quite a bit of great records! I was a huge fan of the artwork that was hung on the walls and the clothing!

If your wardrobe is in need of a hint of vintage I would highly suggest checking this place out! They have some amazing pieces of clothing that will add a extra pop of color to your outfits!

Sweet Indulgences, 200 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944

Just across the street is Sweet Indulgences, a adorable little candy store filled with chocolates and charming little knick knacks to bring home as souvenirs or as gifts.

Where to eat + drink

After shopping and exploring you might start to get a bit hungry for a meal or even a snack. Downtown Greenport has a handful or restaurants that consists of different price ranges, a few that are more budget friendly include:

Crazy Beans - Crazy Beans is a coffee shop/ restaurant located in the center of downtown just across from the Marina. When you walk in you have the option of ordering to go at the bar or getting seated at the restaurant, the food they serve here is diner food with fairly large portions and reasonable prices.

D'Latte Cafe - D’Latte Cafe is the perfect place for a coffee break. They had an assortment of pastries that all looked delicious, and prepackaged snacks and goodies. The have some great coffee and cold drinks as well as delicious fresh baked treats.

Claudio’s Restaurant - They have a tiki bar where you can enjoy your meal while enjoying the scenery and view of the waterfront. Just place your order at the self-serve window and find the perfect seat over by the waterfront.

Lucharitos - Great appetizers and tasty entrees you just can't go wrong with tacos and burritos! Accompany your delicious meal with a refreshing frozen margarita. The restaurant is a Mexican-wrestler theme with pink and blue walls giving the restaurant a welcoming atmosphere.

Bruce & Son - This is a great restaurant if you are looking for something more on the healthier side. They have some awesome choices for brunch such as flourless matcha pancakes if you’re craving something sweet or the togarashi roasted pork sandwich for a savory option.

Where to stay in Greenport, New York

Sound View Greenport - They have a private beach area, they’re pet friendly and have a beautiful view of the oceanfront.

The Menhaden Hotel - Located right downtown, it’s the perfect location! It’s walking distance to all the fun activities in Greenport. They even have hypoallergenic room available, they’re pet friendly and have free bike rentals.

American Beech Hotel - A trendy hotel with luxurious rooms and a modern American restaurant with delicious food? Sounds perfect to me!

That wraps up my visit to Greenport, New York! Overall, it was a relaxing and enjoyable weekend and if you have plans to visit Greenport in the near future I hope my list of things to do will help your visit be as relaxing as mine!

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BROOKLYN FLEA + SMORGASBURG WINTER MARKET

The prices are more on the higher side when it comes to shopping here but there is quite a bit that is reasonable such as the clothing and knickknacks. Furniture, true antiques and vintage high fashion clothing will definitely cost you a pretty penny.

While you’re in Williamsburg, make it a whole day and continue the thrifting on Bedford Ave.

There is so much furniture here, and I have to say I love every bit of it! Every two feet I walked I found a new piece that I just “need to have!” so excuse me while I empty my bank account and get a new living room set.

I absolutely love the concept of mystery packages! If you decide to try your luck with the mystery bags and tag me on Instagram to see what you get!

Overall getting a few maps, and some wall decor is not bad for a morning shopping trip. As I mentioned earlier, if you enjoy antiquing/thrifting make your way down to Bedford Ave and you’ll find a whole lot more! Prices are a little high but nothing too unreasonable, it’s a great place to find some prints and artwork to build your gallery wall.

Plus, the view while shopping is awesome! Not too shabby.

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AN EVENING IN THE VILLAGE OF BELLPORT, NEW YORK

Bellport is such a beautiful hidden gem in southern Long Island, you’ll see what I mean in a minute, let's start off by walking down Main Street. Right away you’re greeted by a handful of stores and restaurants, and parking was quite easy since there is street parking everywhere. 

Where to shop in Bellport, New York

Copper Beech - They do have a great selection of home accessories and decor. It’s a great place to find items for housewarmings, wedding gifts, or even to redecorate your own home.

Where to eat + drink

If you happen to visit in the summer and get a craving for ice cream make sure to stop by Carla Marla’s Ice Cream Parlor, this cute little ice cream shop serves old fashioned ice cream and shakes. They are reasonably priced, you can choose between a cup or cone and your size.Kiddie: 1 scoop $2.75 / Small:2 scoops $3.75 / Medium: 3 scoops $4.75 / Large:4 scoops $5.75 or get yourself a pint of ice cream to go for $6.99

If ice cream doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, make your way over to The Cake Jar Shoppe where you can get yourself a cupcake or two. Here you’ll find delicious cupcakes and they even have vegan options.

There are plenty of restaurants around Main Street but if you’re looking for something more on the healthy side It’s Only Natural is the place to go. They have a great selection of healthy snacks and organic products such as fresh home ground almond and peanut butter, açaí bowls, and frozen yogurt.

I’ve gone to multiple grocery stores in my lifetime but for some reason I found Cirillo’s Market Bellport IGA unique, I suppose it’s the pastel green interior that gives it a retro feel. The grocery store is incredibly clean and looking for snacks was refreshing, as the products were very well stocked and they provide great customer service.

After munching on some snacks, a walk around the town seemed like a great idea. Some of my favorite streets in Bellport were, Browns Lane, Bellport Lane and Bell Street. Of course Bellport in general is gorgeous town but these are for sure my favorite.

Leaving Bellport we stumbled across this quaint little schoolhouse located in East Patchogue. The Swan River Schoolhouse was built in 1858 occupied with the original benches and the last remaining one-room schoolhouse in its original foundation in all of Long Island. Admission to visit the inside of this historic landmark is free, open the 2nd and 4th Sunday during July and August 1:00 - 4:00 p.m or by appointment throughout the year.

That wraps up my quick visit to Bellport, New York. I do plan to make a few more posts on some nearby towns, Long Island is just too peaceful! Comment below your favorite town in Long Island!

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24 HOURS IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA

How to get to Omaha, Nebraska

By Train - whether you are East or West, you can book an Amtrak train ride to Omaha for as low as $27. I personally check Wanderu before booking to find the cheapest rates. The Amtrak Station is located on South 9th Street, just outside of downtown Omaha, just a 15 minute walk to the Old Market Neighborhood.

Driving - If you are driving along Interstates 80 and 29, the road will bring you directly into the city.

We arrived in Omaha fairly early in the morning, 6am to be exact, we got off the bus coming from Grand Island, Nebraska between 14th & Harney Street. Then started making our way towards The Old Market neighborhood in search of some coffee. We stumbled across Cubby’s, a grocery store that was open 24 hours with a great selection of snacks and deli meat. We grabbed a cup of coffee and some fresh fruit then decided to do some work in their seating area while we waited for stores to open. A quick hour later we started our day off by getting breakfast at the corner restaurant on Howard Street.

Wheatfields (1202 Howard St)

We made our way over to Wheatfields at 7am, afraid that we would be the only ones there and requesting a table the second they opened we were very surprised to see there was already a handful of early risers sipping on coffee and enjoying their breakfast. The service was very welcoming and the atmosphere gave me a European feel. The food overall was delicious and the portions were decently big. Their bakery has a great selection of pastries, everything looks amazing! They also have an express side to their resturant in case you’re in a hurry or if they happen to have a long wait.

After breakfast we took a stroll through The Old Market, oddly enough it was completely empty but luckily for me it was the best time to get some great photos. While wandering through the neighborhood we came across a variety of different sculptures such as an oversized bear, a 6ft rooster, a old timey clock tower, glossy colorful hearts, and even a red telephone booth. If you keep an eye open for more art you’ll see that it’s everywhere. It seems like most buildings have some sort of artwork along the side of the building whether it might be a mural, a colorful restaurant sign, or beautiful green vines crawling up the side of old brick buildings.

We then headed to Imaginarium Antiques, to see if we could find some one of a kind items or maybe some Beatles memorabilia. *Fun Fact about me, I have a large but not too crazy collection of Beatles memorabilia that consists of rare old books and vintage magazines.

Imaginarium (423 S 13th St)

This place has a lots of toys and knick-knacks that brought back wonderful childhood memories. I’m sure you can find nearly everything here, from old Mcdonald’s happy meal toys to collectable comics. There is just so much to look at, this place is packed to the ceiling with memorabilia of all sorts with maze-like aisles I could see myself spending hours here! So if you’re in the market for collectables, antiques or vintage pieces this is where you’ll have to roll up your shelves and get to searching!

There is two locations, one in The Old Market and another located on 16th & Leavenworth.

• Old Market Address: 423 S 13th St, Omaha, NE 68102

• 16th & Leavenworth Address: 801 S 16th St, Omaha, NE 68108

Fairmont Antiques & Mercantile (1209 Jackson St)

After visiting Imaginarium Antiques we started to feel a bit nostalgic so we headed to Fairmont Antiques & Mercantile to grab some old fashion candy or maybe a milkshake. When you first walk through the front doors you’ll be greeted by what might seem like a huge candy store, but if you take a closer look you’ll see there’s a working retro diner toward the back where they serve food, drinks and deserts. We took some time to walk through the candy store and we found a handful of oddities such as crazy soda flavors, candied insects, and chocolate covered bacon slices. After wandering through the candy aisles we headed towards the back of the store where the museum/antique store portion began.

There is no admission cost to enter.

Right away you’ll see Elvis Presley standing next to his pink car in what seems like a PEZ store. Continuing down the maze of antique signs there was a Hollywood movie theater that does show vintage movies and is available to rent for parties. They also have an extensive collection of vintage movie memorabilia and just in case you happen to collect vintage movies they are for sale.

Straight ahead you’ll notice a sign on the floor to continue straight ahead for the arcade. At first it was a bit disappointed to see just 3 arcade games and 5 pinball machines but a bit further down there was a brightly lit neon room absolutely filled with pinball machines! I was surprised that it was empty, but after looking through the machines and checking out the records decorating the room we headed onwards toward the record store.

We finished off by looping back around to the candy shop and to get a few squares of mint chocolate fudge that’s served over the counter next to the rock candy. We decided to skip on the crazy flavored sodas that were conveniently located next to the cash register. At first glance we thought they might just have a funny tag on the bottle to gift as a gag gift but turns out they really do taste like what they advertise so consider yourself warned. But in the case you ever get a craving for a buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing or even mustard flavored soda this is the place for you! There is a crazy amount of different beverages such as root beers, cookie dough sodas, and joke soda bottles that really just taste like lemon and orange sodas. Prices vary, you can get 4 mix and match bottles for the price of $10.99 or $2.89 each.

We snacked on our mint chocolate fudge as we wandered aimlessly until we came across the Old Market Passageway, an old alleyway turned mini shopping mall. There is art galleries, restaurants, and local shops located within the Passageway, the entrance is parallel across the street from fancy french restaurant, Le Bouillon on Howard Street. There is multiple floors to the Passageway, my favorite being the third floor because there is a balcony where you can oversee the alley from above.

Old Market Passageway, 1020-1098, Howard St

We exited and continued down Howard Street and entered a gift shop to grab a small souvenir. We walked in and I instantly had to reconsider how much room I had in my backpack to bring back home. I love to shop and always bring things back home, but this store had some pretty neat stuff I hadn’t seen in NYC. One of my favorite things was the printed wrapping paper, it was thick enough to put into a picture frame and make a poster out of it! It was fairly cheap too, only a few dollars. I was planning to get a few but then I remembered I still have a flight home and the chances of this paper getting home unwrinkled is slim.

City Limits (1114 Howard St)

This store has a lot of fun stuff that you don't need but just got to have! Plenty of gag gifts for your office, a significant other or for a white elephant gifting. Right in the front of the store there are books and knick-knacks, if you are in the market for new books I’d suggest looking through the books at City Limits. They have a good variety of humor reads that are absolutely hilarious, I was expecting everything to be overpriced but was quickly wrong, prices are affordable and reasonable.

After getting a quirky postcard we went a few stores north to Homer’s Music and Gifts record shop.

Homer’s Music and Gifts (1210 Howard St)

I’m all about supporting a local business so I love that they carry used music items. They have a great selection of vinyl music and cds in all kinds of genres. They have some fun air fresheners, car stickers and posters of all your favorite artists.

We still had a few hours to kill before our flight home so to finish off the afternoon we headed to Joslyn Art Museum to enjoy some art. Once we arrived it was a beautiful day to admire the flowers and sculptures around the museum so we walked around for a bit before heading inside.

Joslyn Art Museum (2200 Dodge St)

After enjoying the scenery we walked up the entrance stairs and got a map of the museum. Right away we walked through multiple rooms filled with beautiful art and artifacts. I always appreciate the information located next to the framed art to read about the artist and how certain art end up at the museum. If you have the time, I would recommend visiting and reading the meaning behind every painting, the museum itself is small but has some great pieces. This museum has free admission with the exception of certain exhibits.

Here’s a mini slideshow of some of my favorite artwork from the Joslyn Art Museum. After viewing the art and sculptures there is a cafe and gift shop downstairs that you can visit.

Where to eat + drink

Le Peep - they have 4 locations in Omaha but it’s a awesome place for brunch! Their waffles and biscuits and gravy are delicious!

Wheatfields (1202 Howard St) - as I mentioned earlier in this post, Wheatfields is a great breakfast place and I highly recommend checking it out for brunch!

Don Gaby’s ( 4806 S. 24th St) - one of my personal favorites, they specialize in gorditas and they make the best carne asada tortas in town! *Don’t forget to ask for salsa verde, it’s the best!

Lazlo's Brewery & Grill (2425 S 192nd Ave) - Lazlo’s in my opinion has best bbq bacon burger, they’re cooked in a wood fired grill making them very delicious!

El Dorado Restaurant (5134 S. 24th St.) - specializes in Mexican seafood

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More locations to add to your own itinerary

Lauritzen Gardens - the gardens is a beautiful place to go for a walk and stroll through the flowers in the Springtime.

Henry Doorly Zoo - visit the desert dome for one of Omaha’s most instagrammable locations!

The Durham Museum - travel back in time to the 1900’s and learn all about Union Station, Omaha’s first train station. While you’re there make sure to stop at the old-fashioned soda fountain and candy shop.

South 24th Street - if you are looking for a more ethnic experience, I highly recommend taking the time to walk through the the multiple streets located below South 24th St. Here you’ll find numerous hispanic restaurants and grocery stores.

*Stopping by Dulceria Arcoiris (4914 S 24th St) is a must! I have to say it’s by far one of the best Mexican candy shops around, here you can buy big bags of candy in bulk or a few pieces at a time.

I hope you enjoyed a brief view of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. All of these downtown shops are fairly close to the airport and to the Amtrak train station so if you find yourself in Omaha hope you check out some of my recommendations!

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THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

There's lots to do in Breckenridge for everyone of all ages! Whether you are looking for activities that are family friendly or if you’re looking to plan a date with your significant other there is plenty to do. Let’s get started on some of my favorite things to do during the spring, besides skiing!

Getting to Breckenridge from Denver

By car - Breckenridge is a 2 hour drive from Denver, roughly 104 miles from the Denver Airport. Take I-70 West to Frisco (exit 203). Continue south on Hwy. 9 to Breckenridge.

If you’re coming east from the Eagle County Regional Airport, take I-70 East to Frisco (exit 203). Turn right onto Hwy. 9 and head South nine miles to Breckenridge.

Shuttle Service - You can book a door-to-door shared shuttle service to anywhere in Breckenridge starting at $59 with Peak One Express. They have daily scheduled shuttles to transport to and from the Denver Airport, you can book here.

Going skiing or snowboarding?

If you happen to own your own snowboard and skis go ahead and ignore this part! But if you are looking to rent either a snowboard or skis the best place I’ve seen for rentals is Rent Skis. They have 7 different convenient locations around Breckenridge, with a variety of equipment to rent. While visiting I rented a pair of performance skis for $67.50 a day with boots and helmet included. This was my first time skiing and needed some skis that would be stiffer when it came to higher speeds, since these are designed for beginners that’s what I went with. There is Demo and Sport skis for the more experienced and confident skier for a few dollars more.

Time to hit the slopes!

Depending on where you want to go, start at the base of every trail and take the ski lift up. Breckenridge is a great place for skiers of all abilities, although depending on your skill level you can choose between beginner, intermediate, and expert ski slopes. One of the best peaks for beginners is Peak 9, especifically the Quicksilver lift, which is the lift I took when I went skiing since it was my first time. The lifts open everyday at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m

*Fun Fact - The highest ski lift in North America is located in Breckenridge, The Imperial Express Superchair goes up 12,840 feet (3,914 m ) to the top of Peak 8.

Stroll through Main Street

This might seem like a no-brainer but there is so many stores to shop at, preferably in the early morning when all the stores are opening up and there isn’t a rush of people in each store.

Once you arrive downtown stop by Breckenridge Welcome Center to pick up a map with illustrations of the town’s most recommended shops and restaurants. The welcome center also happens to have a mini museum with exhibits about the town’s history, so while you’re there take a quick look. There is no public bathrooms available in the stores, but there is bathrooms available downstairs at the welcome center.

Main Street is only about a mile and a half walking, so started walking south on one side of the street and made our way back north on the opposite side of the street and we would purchase our souvenirs along the way. A few things I like to purchase when visiting a new town include postcards, magnets and souvenir pins.

Almost each store has great souvenirs such as magnets, key chains, and postcards just your regular souvenir items. Depending on what you are shopping for I would suggest going to a few different stores before purchasing since every store is different and are priced differently.

Visit a museum

Edwin Carter Discovery Center is Breckenridge’s natural history museum, packed with beautifully preserved taxidermy wildlife that Professor Edwin Carter evaluated.

Barney Ford House Museum is an incredible piece of history with an inspirational story about Barney Ford’s life. Mr. Ford was an escaped slave that went on to become a wealthy entrepreneur and an activist for African American’s civil rights. There’s a lot of interesting artifacts of Mr. Ford’s life and all his accomplishments.

Summit Ski Museum shows the history of skiing in Breckenridge along with vintage clothing and skis on a visual timeline that shows the evolution of skis and clothing.

All three museums are free admission with a $5 suggested donation and open on the weekends Friday to Sunday 10 am to 3 pm.

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Go on a historic or haunted walking tour

As I post more of my travels you’ll see I love going on walking tours, I highly recommend going on the Breckenridge Haunted Tour. It was exciting and full of information about the historic past of Breckenridge. We started our walking tour by meeting at the welcome center, when we arrived we found out we were the only ones that booked a tour so we started by visiting the Barney Ford House Museum. Our tour consisted of historic information, interesting stories, and paranormal encounters among the town’s residents. He informed us about the mysterious disappearance of the largest piece of gold ever found in Colorado, and multiple paranormal stories of ghostly apparitions. Before our tour ended we did visit a number of different locations, such as The Gold Pan Saloon and the Briggle family home. So if you’re thinking about going on a thrilling ghost tour click here to book your tickets. Most tours start at 7:30 pm check their calendar to book ahead.

If you’re not a fan of haunted tours an alternative is to go on a historic tour with my recommendation of a Walk Through History Tour. Learn all about the beautiful historic buildings and cabins! To book a tour filled with history and information click here to book your tickets. You can find more on tours here.

Epic Discovery at Breckenridge

Take a ride on the Gondola located on 170 Watson Avenue, to the top of the mountain to enjoy a afternoon of outdoor activities. The BreckConnect Gondola is free and is available 9:00am - 6:00pm. Once you get off the Gondola head over to the ticket office located at the top of the mountain for multiple outdoor activities, here’s a list of activities you’ll find:

Go zip-lining, ride roller coasters, go down slides, get lost in a maze, get on multiple rides, go rock climbing wall, even pan for gemstones, and there’s even a bounce house and a bungee trampoline! But my favorite of all is the mini golf course, enjoy a game of mini-golf with an amazing view of the mountains! Overall it’s a great place to pass some time at. Click here for a map of activities.

Open 7 days a week from June 14 –  Sept 2, 2019, and Friday-Sunday during Sept 6 – 8.

After a long day of running around town we started to feel a little run down and a little sick. We stopped by Breckenridge Market Liquor Store on Ridge Street to grab a few snacks and I was surprised to find myself laughing at how big the chip bags were. Since the elevation in Breckenridge is 9,600 feet the chip bags looked like they were about to pop!

So after we got some snacks which consisted of fruit, chocolate, and a bag of swollen chips we headed to the O2 Lounge to get a dose of oxygen to help with out our lightheadedness. Once we got there we ordered a few smoothies, strawberry banana and orange tangerine, to relax along with our hour of oxygen.

While getting oxygen you have the option of having a 15, 30, or 45 minute session or purchasing a small, medium or large can of oxygen. We opted for two 30 minute sessions for $20 a person.

There was four different types of oxygen fragrances you could choose from such as Energy which consists of a spearmint, sage and nutmeg essential oil blend. Joy which includes a blend of citrus such as lemon, grapefruit and orange. Relaxation which is a blend of tangerine, ylanq ylanq extract *helps lower blood pressure, and dark patchouli *helps reduce stress and anxiety. Lastly, Clarity which has frankincense *reduce feelings of anxiety and stimulate the immune system, wild lavender, and helichrysum italicum *anti-inflammatory. We decided to get Joy and it was quite nice, it was a light smell and not overpowering.

Once the sun went down it got even colder outside so we used our map to search for something fun to do. We headed over to Downstairs At Eric's which was humorous to me because my boyfriend’s name is Eric. While we were there we decided to order carryout because there was over an hour wait so we ordered a pepperoni pizza with jalapenos at the bar area and waited in the arcade in the meantime. They had plenty of games to keep us busy such as Mario Kart driving game, pinball machines, and even a beer-pong game such as the one Eric is playing in the picture above. Once we got our pizza we headed home for the evening.

Although our night ended with pizza, your night could end with swiss mac and cheese with a side of absinthe? Breckenridge is the first location I’ve come across where they have a absinthe bar, and it being half restaurant isn’t bad itself. If you’re looking to continue your night or have a fun time with friends I would check it out!

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Where to eat + drink

Downstairs at Eric’s - one of my all time favorite places to get pizza! As I mentioned in my post earlier we got a pepperoni and jalapeno pizza, the sauce was so fresh and delicious, plus the crust was crispy! *the wings are great there too!

Giampietro Pasta & Pizzeria - although they have pizza here I would suggest getting pasta, personally the chicken alfredo is my go-to order, but I think next time I’ll try their Bolognese because that looked pretty good too! Eric on the other hand enjoys the Spaghetti with Spicy Italian Sausage or Spaghetti with Meatballs depending if he’s feeling the spice that day, but both are pretty good, I’ll admit I stole a bite or two! *Portions are decently big!

The Crown - I guarantee that this is the best place for hot chocolate! The Crown makes the most delicious cinnamon buns and even better hot chocolate, just the best trust me on this one!

Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant and Cantina - my personal favorite is the pozole verde, a hearty soup of chicken and hominy corn served with veggies such as red radish, green cabbage, cilantro and diced onion. A very colorful but delicious soup! In the cold winter this is a great option! Eric is a big fan of the enchilada trio which consisted of 3 different types of enchiladas, chicken & sour cream, Yucatán chicken, spinach & mushroom, with a side of rice and beans.

Starlight Dinners at Ten Mile Station - overall a unique dining experience, we started by arriving at The Maggie located at the base of Peak 9 and quickly got on our sleigh that would take us to the top of Peak 9. There we arrived to Ten Mile Station where we were seated and served a delicious 5 course meal of Colorado cuisine. The food was delicious and the service was excellent, it was a beautiful place to spent my 2 year anniversary date with Eric.

And if you’re looking for a place to stay in Breckenridge, here are my picks:

• The Corral at Breckenridge - affordable, cozy and comfy cabin vibes all around.

• The Village at Breckenridge - close to Breckenridge Ski Resort, free breakfast and delicious food, with an airport shuttle on site, and ski rental conveniently located.

• The Lodge at Breckenridge - beautiful mountain lodge sits on a cliff just one mile from the center of town, pet friendly, free breakfast and restaurant onsite.

• Gravity Haus - luxury hotel within a more affordable range, pet friendly, and bathhouse that features 4 hot tubs, a cold tub and a sauna.

That wraps up my visit to Breckenridge! If you happen to visit, grab a cup of hot chocolate for me!

Did I miss any spots that you think are worth visiting? - Let me know in the comments!

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EXPLORING THE BEST OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

For New Years Eric and I decided to travel from Nebraska to Louisiana on a spontaneous trip, we thought this trip for about whole 5 minutes before hitting the road. On our way there we booked our hotel and researched a few things to do while visiting. 16 hours later we arrived and hit the ground running by booking ahead a ghost tour for later that night.

Jazz music, Gumbo, and Beignets! Have I convinced you to visit NOLA already? Let’s get started with how to spend a awesome weekend in New Orleans!

Getting to New Orleans

By Flying - New Orleans has a fairly large airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport so you can fly into the city from nearly everywhere. Now how to get to your hotel you can get there a few different ways.

After landing, you’ll want to take the escalators down to the baggage claim area and follow the signs for Ground Transport/Taxi. (If you are taking the bus head to door #7 on the Upper Level)

Take a Shuttle - To schedule a shuttle you must purchase your ticket at the kiosks near baggage claim or you can request a ride through Airport Shuttle New Orleans here. Their prices are $44.00 round trip per person or $24.00 one-way per person.

Take the bus - If you are a solo traveler or don’t mind taking a little longer to get to or from the airport. For roughly $3 you can go from the airport to the French Quarter, first you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the bus/trolley system. NOLA’s bus system offers a limited service and the ride can take roughly an hour, but it is the cheapest mode of transportation. You’ll then board from door #7 on the Upper Level of the airport and board the RTA Bus #202 (the Airport Express), this bus will then drop you off at Duncan Plaza where you’ll then board your second bus. The next bus is the 88 St.Claude, this bus will arrive at Duncan Plaza it’ll just be a quick transfer.

Take a Uber/Lyft - If you had a long flight or simply just want to arrive to your hotel faster, book a quick ride through either Uber or Lyft.

Where to stay in New Orleans

Depending on where you are looking to stay, either the Garden District or in the French Quarter, here are a few of my recommendations!

• The Quisby - This beautiful hotel offers free breakfast, free luggage storage, and is only steps away from the green line (canal) streetcar.

• Le Méridien New Orleans- This hotel can be affordable if you book ahead of time, not a great choice if you wait for the late minute as it will be several hundred dollars more. It has some great city views, and conveniently located.

• The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery - If you want a luxury stay at half the cost this is a great option! On site coffee shop, Tout La Coffee Bar serves fresh coffee and pastries.

• Henry Howard Hotel - This is another hotel that is worth way more than the price you pay and will likely be booked up quickly. I suggest booking ahead of time, and I mean months ahead of time, it’s very elegant and aesthetically pleasing. Overall, a charming and comfortable place to spend a great weekend in New Orleans.

• Hotel Peter and Paul - This is by far one of the most beautiful hotels It has such a french atmosphere feel to the room that you won’t mind spending a day off relaxing in your room.

Looking for some spooky hotels?

Courtyard of The Haunted Hotel at 623 Ursulines

• Dauphine Orleans Hotel - hauntings of well-dressed ladies and Civil War soldiers are rumored to appear at night wandering the courtyard.

• Le Pavillon Hotel - build at the turn of the nineteenth century, it’s said to be home of spirits left over from the neighborhood's murderous past.

• The Haunted Hotel at 623 Ursulines - It’s said to be  haunted by the spirit of the Axeman, a serial killer who terrorized the Big Easy in the early 1900’s. Plus the fact it was built in 1829 and home to a dozen murders might have something to do with the hauntings.

Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, I would consider all those these hotel recommendations as they are beautiful and affordable. Don’t be discouraged!

Exploring the French Quarter

To get this weekend started take a guide around the French Quarter to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and to get a good understanding of New Orleans. I recommend booking a tour through Free Tours By Foot, they offer 8 different tours in and out of the French Quarter for free. They offer some ghostly tours for the night hours, we’ll go more into that later! But if you are interested in booking a tour I suggest booking ahead of time!

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore and wander the French Quarter, there is so much to do and see! The beautiful historical buildings makes it extra hard to put your camera down, but be aware of your surroundings and be cautious for pickpockets.

While exploring here is a mini list of places to stop by:

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum - If you’re interested in information about voodoo, this is the place to do just that. If you plan to visit arrive with plenty of time as it tends to be packed, tickets are $7.00 a person.

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum - Visit the first pharmacist in the United States, a 1823 apothecary that is now a museum with exhibits of early medicines, superstitious cures for a entry fee of $5. You’ll see historical pharmacy items and various types of medical devices, read the information cards explaining the history of each item and how they were used in everyday life.

Reverend Zombie's House Of Voodoo - Here you’ll find readings, voodoo dolls, jewelry/charms, and more! What I personally found interesting about this store is that most of their items come with information and enjoyed reading what everything was for. Towards the back of the store there is lots of information about Marie Laveau just in case you didn’t get into the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.

After you take a walk on Bourbon Street make sure to turn into Royal Street to enjoy some live music, local art, and beautiful buildings! On the right side of the street you’ll be able to spot the gorgeous architecture that is Jackson Square!

Jackson Square - Jackson Square is the site of the Louisiana Purchase and a national historic landmark and one of the French Quarter's most popular destinations. Here you’ll find the breath-taking St Louis Cathedral, restaurants and museums. You’ll see local artists display their work of paintings, portraits, and caricatures along side the square's iron fence.

Go on a Haunted History Tour

New Orleans is one of the most haunted locations in the United States so why not go on a haunted tour? I personally love scary and thrilling experiences real or not so of course I had to sign us up! We paid the $25 per ticket which is a bit pricey since we were on a budget but it was completely worth it! There are numerous haunted tours you can go to but after a bit of research of reading reviews we decided on Haunted History Tours they have 10 different options and we chose “5 in 1 Ghost & Mystery Tour of the French Quarter” this way we could see a little bit of everything! We didn’t go inside any buildings since they are private residences. But we did walk to a handful of different locations such as the LaLaurie House, home of 19th century serial killer, Delphine LaLaurie.

The tour guides go into extreme detail at each location, this tour in general is more historical than ghostly.

*Fun Fact - In 2007 Nicolas Cage bought the LaLaurie Mansion for $3.5 million to try and get inspiration for an American horror book. He also bought several homes in and around the Garden District. Shortly after, in 2009 he declared bankruptcy and all his homes in New Orleans were foreclosed on.

Wander through the Garden district

If you are looking for beautiful instagrammable locations in New Orleans the Garden District is a must! Take a walk down Coliseum Street, this is where you’ll find beautiful mansions and if you are a American Horror Story fan you’ll walk past the Buckner Mansion just down the street! Another great thing to see in the Garden District is the Lafayette Cemetery No.1 it is much smaller than other cemeteries across New Orleans but it certainly is nice to stop by and take a look around.

Click here for a Free Self Guided Garden District Tour!

Here’s a list of a few things to check out while visiting the Garden District:

Buckner Mansion - Also known as Miss Robicheaux's Academy for all you American Horror Story fans. The mansion is privately-owned but you can rent it out for $20,000 or $4000 a night or a minimum stay of three nights, if you want to recreate your favorite scenes from the show.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 - Visit the city’s first planned cemetery, dating back to 1833 this historic cemetery is still being used to this day. This cemetery hold more than 1,000 family tombs and over 7,000 people. It’s fairly small in size, only a city block wide, it’s definitely worth taking a look.

Palmer Park - Go take a stroll through this beautiful park and maybe stay for a picnic! Enjoy a afternoon of people watching or view local artwork from vendors

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Where to eat + drink in New Orleans

Ready for an authentic taste of the Big Easy? Here’s where to eat:

Commander's Palace Restaurant - grab lunch and 25 cent martinis at Commander’s *they do have a limit of 3 per person. It’s more of a high end restaurant with a business casual dress code.

New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co. - We came here for a late lunch and the food here is delicious! I ordered the gourmet hamburger with the garlic herb fries and Eric ordered the rajun’ cajun burger with a side cup of gumbo, and everything was great! We would definitely dine here again.

Pat O'Brien's - hangout by the flaming fountain and order yourself a cocktail or one of their famous hurricane. If you are looking to have dinner here they do offer a handful of great entrees and starters such as the crawfish etouffee, red beans in rice or maybe try some alligator bites if you are feeling brave.

For dessert you have to pick up some beignets, you can find some of the best beignets in two locations:

Cafe du Monde - their delicious beignets are $2.73 for a order of 3 which is a great deal, which is why there is always a huge line, so make sure you get there early!

Cafe Beignet - their fresh handmade beignets are $3.99 per order of 3.

CC's Coffee House - We stopped here to warm up after our ghost tour. Eric got a tall cup of black coffee for $2.50 and I got a tall cup of hot chocolate for $3.00, along with a slice of chocolate cake for $2.00 and everything was great! They have multiple locations but only located in Louisiana.

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Well that wraps my visit to New Orleans, Louisiana. I hope you enjoy my recommendations in the Big Easy! Did I miss any of your New Orlean favorites? Let me know in the comments!

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