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If you follow my blog, you know I am a big fan of Lucy's Bar, a quaint cocktail bar in Saratoga Springs, New York. You might have read about how Lucy's creative bartender, Justin, makes his own seasonal concoctions (I specifically highlighted one called Sweater Weather made with homemade Nutella syrup and a toasted marshmallow on top!). So imagine my excitement when Whitney, the owner of Silverado Jewelry Gallery where I work part-time, told us she rented out Lucy's Bar for a team-building cocktail making event! The evening totally met my expectations. The Silverado gang had the bar to ourselves for a couple of hours. Lucy's had set up the whole space to prepare us for making our craft cocktails under the guidance of Justin himself. When you entered into Lucy's for the event, it looked amazing! The Cocktails During the course of the evening, we made three different cocktails. Justin had non-alcoholic modifications for those in the group who weren't drinking. We measured, we muddled, we sliced, we juiced, we shook, we poured, and finally we garnished to add that special craft cocktail touch. It was so much fun! Here are the cocktails we mixed: Blackberry Mojito-A delicious drink with muddled blackberries and fresh mint. The Whitney-Not an official drink on Lucy's drink menu, but one that was specifically created for my boss, Whitney. It is made with fresh lemon juice, grapefruit juice and tequila. The special ingredient is a pour of rosemary syrup. I am not a huge citrus fan, but this drink is delicious and would be a really refreshing summer cocktail. If Justin is working next time I go in, I may see if I can order "off-menu" and get the Whitney. If not, I know how to make it at home now! Espresso Martini-I am embarrassed to admit that I am late to the game with this cocktail. Justin told us it is now the most ordered drink in America. I don't drink coffee and don't like martinis so was sure I would not like it. I was COMPLETELY wrong! I now understand why the drink is so popular. It was delicious. The non-alcoholic version was made with Almond milk and that was almost better than the "real" one! The almond milk gave it a more creamy texture which was amazing! Attend Your Own Lucy's Event If you are planning some type of group event (birthday party, girl's night out/bachelorette party, work function, etc.), I would seriously consider planning an event at Lucy's Bar. In addition to the cocktail making class, they also offer wine-tasting or whiskey tasting. You can contact Lucy's here to check availability, capacity and pricing. In addition to private events, Lucy's Bar also frequently hosts special events that anyone can sign up for. Around Valentine's Day they hosted a Galentine's Event to make a heart shaped charcuterie board. Two cocktails are generally included with the cost of the event as well as the supplies for the event. They have an upcoming Paint and Sip event in partnership with local artist Jean Ellen Sotansky of Loves Colors LLC. Included in the price is two cocktails, painting instruction from Ms. Sotansky and a take home canvas of a Frido Kahlo painting that you create! The Paint and Sip event is scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2023. Purchase tickets here. Conclusion I don't think Justin needs to be worried that I will take his bartending job any time soon, but it was fun to pretend like I was professional drink maker for a couple of hours. He taught us how to properly use some of the drink making tools and gave us a little history on each of the drinks (did you know that espresso martinis started as a "pharmaceutical" remedy to headaches?). We all had so much fun making cocktails and hanging out with each other while we enjoyed our concoctions. It is definitely a great way to spend an evening with your favorite group of people. Thank you to Whitney and Silverado Jewelry Gallery for planning such a great event. Thank you to Justin, Kelsey and Lucy's Bar for hosting us.

Are you looking for a nice Colorado restaurant for a special night out or just a delicious dinner? The best place to indulge is Indulge Bistro & Wine Bar! On a recent trip to Denver, we celebrated my youngest daughter's 23rd birthday at Indulge and had a fabulous evening. Indulge was on our short list because both of my daughters have Celiac Disease and need to eat gluten free. Indulge has an Allergy Sensitive Menu on-line where you can identify your specific dietary restriction to see a menu of available meals and/or substitutions. It will also ask if you are sensitive to cross-contamination so that proper precautions can be taken. If you or someone in your group has a food sensitivity, you can appreciate what a great accommodation this is. Check out the Allergy Sensitive Menu here. Indulge has a large assortment of shareable plates and appetizers, a variety of delicious artisan flatbread pizzas (which can also be made gluten-free!), several entrees and burgers, and a selection of garden fresh salads. You can browse their delectable menu here. We started our celebratory evening with the Indulgent Cheese and Charcuterie Board, Bacon and Parmesan Brussel Sprouts and a Warm Breadbasket with Basil Salted Butter. I followed up with an Artisan Flatbread topped with pepperoni while my girls each enjoyed a tender Filet Mignon. My sister ordered the Blue Suede Shoes flatbread which is topped with grilled chicken breast on Carolina bbq sauce with mozzarella, drizzled with ranch dressing and sprinkled with toasted leeks. While my pepperoni flatbread was delicious, I definitely had order envy after tasting the Blue Suede Shoes flatbread!. Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed at Indulge was the wine flights you could order to sample different varieties of your favorite wine. The names of the wine flights were very creative and added some fun to the decision-making process. I am a fan of Chardonnay so I ordered the Liquid Gold flight. My girls ordered the I Don't Noir You! flight with a selection of Pinot Noir wines. My brother-in-Law ordered the You Had Me At Red Blend flight. Check out the other descriptive names for the various flights you can order in the picture below! Which one would you choose? Indulge has a warm, inviting atmosphere to top off a special evening. We were able to reserve a small private room for our celebration, but a table in the main dining room looked great too. I highly recommend Indulge as a go-to spot for date night, special celebration, girl's night out or just because! The food was amazing, the wine flights were fun and the vibe was perfect. If you find yourself in Denver, treat yourself with an indulgent evening at Indulge Bistro and Wine Bar!

A newer bar in Saratoga Springs, Lucy's Bar is gaining attention as one of the best places to go to for a festive time and amazing cocktails (not to mention Insta-worthy decor)! Their tag line is "Come As You Are" creating a welcoming atmosphere as you wander in off of the craziness of Caroline Street. The motto on their website is "Good Vibes, Better Drinks and a Little Thing We Like to Call A Lucy" which tells you everything you need to know about this unique place! On your next visit to Saratoga Springs be sure to pop into to Lucy's to experience it for yourself! Good Vibes Lucy's Bar is cozy and quaint and is the perfect place for a celebration, girl's night out or date night. I previously posted about the amazing Christmas decor they had making it one of the most festive bars in Saratoga. I was at Lucy's recently and they said they were finally taking down the Christmas decor and getting ready to decorate for Valentine's Day. I can't wait to go in and experience that! I heard a rumor that they also intend to decorate for Saint Patrick's Day and Halloween along with other festive events throughout the year. Make sure to keep Lucy's in mind during any of these holidays to go in and check out the decor. If it's anything like the Christmas vibe it will be something to behold! Great Drinks One of the cool things about Lucy's Bar is their signature cocktails created exclusively for Lucy's by their talented bartenders. The cocktail menu changes frequently with new concoctions designed specifically for each season. The most recent menu had delicious holiday/winter themed drinks with fun names like Sweater Weather, Holiday Who-Be What-EE, Mazel Tov (so those celebrating Hannukah don't feel left out), Santa Drinks Fernet, and Miracle on Caroline. I tried Sweater Weather and the Holiday Who-Be What-EE and both were amazing! They also offer wine and drinks on tap as well as Spirit-Free drinks for designated drivers or those who don't wish to indulge. So no worries! Everyone in your party can enjoy Lucy's even if they aren't in the mood to drink alcohol. The Lucy As their motto states, Lucy's has a signature special called "The Lucy" which is One Shot and One Beer. As you can see from the menu above, you have a choice of the shot you want and the beer you want to chase it. They also offer merchandise that reflects the Lucy. One of the ladies I was with purchased a Lucy's beanie with an adorable patch of a beer and a shot on the front. It was so cute! Happy Hour, Veteran's Night and Special Events Lucy's has a Happy Hour Sunday-Thursday from 5-7. During Happy Hour drinks are Buy One, Get One for House Cocktails, Draft Beers and Seltzers and House Wine. Additionally, Lucy's has partnered with Operation At Ease and every Tuesday contributes 100% of the profits to support local veterans. Operation At Ease adopts shelter dogs, trains them as service dogs and provides them to veteran's in need. What a great cause! Lucy's also hosts special events. Their next is a Galentine's Day event on February 13 from 6-7:30 where you can make a heart-shaped charcuterie board while you drink two included cocktails. Cost is $80.00 for the evening. Unfortunately it appears this event has sold out, but keep your eye out for future events like this! Lucy's is fast becoming my favorite place to meet up with friends and grab a drink. I love the cozy vibe, the fun drinks and the inviting atmosphere. I think you will love it too so check it out the next time you are in Saratoga!

This post is a little different than my usual travel blog, but it is relevant because it involves going about this life solo in all aspects, including travel. As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, I recently got divorced after 25 years of marriage. A lot of changes come with that, but the most significant one is learning how to do life solo after years of being accompanied by a partner and family. In the months after my separation, I had a sense of freedom. I only had to worry about myself after years of trying to meet someone else's expectation, taking care of everyone else's needs (which I was very happy to do for all those years), and not having to worry about many of the things that ultimately led to the disconnect in my marriage. I realized I had lost myself along the way and was excited to take some time to rediscover parts of myself that had been neglected. I also focused on reconnecting with friendships that had not received the attention they deserved when I was struggling with my emotions and the crumbling of my marriage. In full transparency, after this initial feeling of relief, reality set in. Coming to terms with all that was lost and all the future plans that will never happen was sad. I realized that, at least for now, I truly am on this journey solo. My daughters are truly amazing and of course they have been supportive during this whole period, but they are adults and have their own paths to forge. Honestly, sometimes this realization that it is just me, myself and I feels liberating and sometimes it feels scary. But I know that this is where I need to be right now. One thing that has been the most difficult about being single as a middle aged woman (or just a single person in general) is realizing how much of life (and society, media, etc.) is focused on being part of a couple. Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting companionship and love in your life. I am open to that if it happens to cross my path again, but I am not actively seeking it at the moment. I want to experience life on my own terms and in my own way at this phase of my life. But because of the emphasis that is placed on being part of a couple, it is hard not to equate value with having someone by my side. It is easy to let myself feel "less than" because I have not "been chosen" by another to be their life partner. But the growth comes by being ok with that and realizing that I am choosing not to "be chosen". I have learned that my value comes from the unique qualities I bring to the party and not who is coming to the party with me. Taking some time to live life alone is so important. Being solo gives you an opportunity to do some deep soul searching and find out what is important to you. What things do YOU want to prioritize, what goals do YOU have for yourself, how do YOU want to live your life, what kind of future do YOU envision? Not that you can't do this with someone else, but then you will obviously need to compromise and answer those questions considering the answers for a "WE" and not a "ME". If you find yourself single in midlife it is a unique opportunity to reassess your life and take a moment to really think about these things with no other opinions or distractions. Once you figure it out and start living your life in alignment with these things, any one who comes into your life as a friend or a partner will only enhance the vision you created. Failing to take the necessary time to dig deep and do the work to discover your authentic self is wasting a precious opportunity. That being said, it takes a lot of fortitude and confidence to stick to the solo journey. I am, and have always been, a fiercely independent person. I enjoy my alone time and have no problem doing things by myself. But I would be lying if I said that it wasn't hard sometimes. Going into a restaurant and saying I am a "Party of One" can feel awkward. I do travel with friends often, but they are not always available when I want to travel so I do take a lot of trips by myself. Traveling by myself is fun, but there are always moments I wish I had that "built in" travel partner to share those amazing experiences. Sometimes it would be nice just to have someone sitting quietly on the other end of the couch or binge-watching a great show with me. Yes, there are definitely times when I feel lonely. But there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. There were plenty of times I felt lonely even when I had that partner, so being coupled up is no guarantee that you avoid that lonely feeling. Now, the occasional lonely feeling passes and I am left with a realization that I am happy living the authentic life I have created for myself. Choosing to be single will require you to often defend or explain your choice. We are constantly bombarded with media messages that finding that "perfect partner" should be our primary focus. Well-meaning people will ask if you are dating and tell you "not to worry" because you will find someone else when the time is right. But what if you don't want that? What is wrong with wanting to enjoy life's journey surrounded by good friends and family? What if you want to keep your independence? Why is staying single not a choice that is more prevalent and accepted? It is important that we begin to normalize being single, regardless of age or gender. We should honor someone's choice to take some (or all) of their life journey as a solo traveller. You can be a "Party of One" and that's perfectly ok!

Hudson is a vibrant small city located between New York City and Albany. It is surrounded by farm country that serves as an agricultural district at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement and is bordered to the west by the Hudson River. This setting adds natural beauty to the stunning architectural beauty in the city limits. Hudson is the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon (or weekend), especially if you love antiques, art, history, architecture, great shopping, and excellent food! I think everyone should fall into one of those categories making Hudson a great destination that has something for each traveler in your group. Hudson's Interesting (and Tawdry) History Hudson started as a whaling port in the 1700's and was also used to get ships out to sea without drawing attention from the Royal Navy. Hudson was the first chartered city in the US in 1785 and the first planned American city based on a modern grid. As whaling declined, it became a thriving industrial hubs with lots of factories and manufacturing, but it also became known for added "entertainment" to sailors and laborers in the form of bars, gambling and brothels that existed all over the city in semi-secrecy. Many of the homes on Diamond Street were converted to brothels and it is rumored that the longest running craps game in history (two and a half years!) took place at one of these establishments in Hudson. During prohibition, Hudson became a major supplier of illicit beer to New York. It is believed that beer runners used a tunnel to the waterfront to secretly fill the barges with beer. Hudson's "wild" side came to a quick and abrupt end in the 1950's when FBI agents sealed off every entrance to the city and began making arrests (starting in the brothels on Diamond Street!).Some of those arrested were members of law enforcement! These facts and more can be found on the Visit Hudson NY website. Hudson Is An Architectural Lover's Haven When Hudson's fortune as a whaling port and subsequent manufacturing hub eventually declined, Hudson was ignored as a candidate for urban renewal. As a result, many of the city's historic buildings have remained in tact. Various architectural styles from each era in the city's history remain and many have been restored and meticulously maintained. This gives visitors to Hudson the ability to walk through architectural history as they wander the streets. There are architectural examples of 18th Century Nantucket, Federal style buildings, Victorian and 20th century Arts and Crafts style structures scattered throughout the city. Hudson Has the Best Antique Shopping in the Northeast If you are an antique lover, you have probably already spent some time browsing the various antiques dealers in Hudson. Hudson has been dubbed one of the best destinations for antique hunters. It makes sense in view of the restoration and renewal that has occurred over the years in Hudson. All of those restored structures must have contained a treasure trove of antiques and historically relevant items. You can be the star of your own "American Picker" show as you dig through all of the treasures with other antique hunters. There are several antique and vintage stores on Warren Street and the surrounding area. There is also a huge Antique Warehouse on the river front (where Hudson Brewing Company is also located just in case you are in need of sustenance after all that antique shopping). Hudson Has Amazing Local Shopping As Well Warren Street is the main commercial thoroughfare in Hudson and it is filled with local shops selling those previously mentioned antique and vintage items, designer clothes and accessories, jewelry, home decor and furniture, vinyl records, books, gifts, gourmet cheese, wine and chocolates...the list goes on. There is a vibrant mix of businesses that offer unique and hand-crafted items. There is a very artsy vibe in the town which is enhanced by the many art galleries, performance venues and shops selling the unique crafts. Find a list of all of the shops in Hudson here. Here are a few of my favorite stores on Warren Street: Hudson Clothier: A clothing store for men and women with all American made items. They had some awesome accessories like bold jewelry, leather belts and adorable leather purses. Their selection of women's clothing was great with both trendy and classic options to create the foundation of your wardrobe with quality American made products. You can pre-browse their selections here. loup: Another women's.clothing store, but it's styles focus specifically on "real-women" with curves and they offer a selection of pants that claim to have the "perfect fit with modern ease". I didn't make a purchase that day, but they had some very cute styles and I am definitely considering a purchase on line to try them out (since I am one of those "real women" they are targeting!). They had several other cute t-shirts and sweatshirts with trendy sayings (including an iconic line from Jennifer Coolidge in last season's White Lotus...how did they get it out so fast?!?). You can check out their styles here. If you make a purchase, let me know what you think! Grapefruit Wines: Unfortunately this store was closed when we were visiting. I put it on my list of favorites anyway because it looks so cute and I want to taste the grapefruit wine they sell! I guess it gives me a specific reason to head back to Hudson! The Spotty Dog Books & Ale: The Spotty Dog is a charming bookstore with a full bar inside! To me, there is nothing like the feel and smell of a bookstore. I miss going into a cozy little bookstore and browsing around. Here you can do it with your favorite adult beverage! Hudson is a Foodie Mecca As Well Due to Hudson's location in the middle of an agricultural community that was at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement, it is no surprise that there are plenty of delicious restaurants to try when you visit. Because there is an abundance of produce and products from the local farms nearby (including many from organic, heirloom and biodynamic farmers), Hudson is an attractive location for both star and up and coming chefs to open restaurants in town. Here are some of the restaurants that caught my eye (but there are many more so do your research before you go): Grazin' Farm to Table: Direct: We grabbed a quick lunch at Grazin' Farm to Table: Direct, an organic diner and the first Animal Welfare Approved restaurant in the world. All of the meat served at the diner comes from a farm that is also owned by the owners of Grazin'. A majority of the other ingredients used come from organic and local/in-state farms. The owners also started Grazin' Spirits and Unburdened Distillery that produces gin, vodka and craft bourbon aged in white oak barrels made in the Adirondacks. You can sample the Unburdened spirits in the newly created tasting room at Grazin'. Check out the full Grazin' story and their menu on their website. Bar Bene: Bar Bene is a speakeasy style wine bar on Warren Street with a gift store in the front. Bar Bene was operating on winter hours and was closed when we were there, but we stopped in to browse in the gift shop and I captured some pictures of the bar area. It has a cool, vintage feel in the bar area and I would definitely check this out if it is open when you visit. Check out what they are pouring and what they are serving when you visit by checking out their website here. Baba Louie's: This restaurant serves all-natural, wood-fired sourdough pizza. They are "gluten free and vegan everyday". We didn't stop here this time, but it was packed for lunch so to me that means it must be delicious! They also have take and bake options! Check it out here. Culture Cream: Culture Cream serves probiotic living ice creams and sorbets made with kefir and kombucha. Again, we didn't have time to stop but it sounds really interesting! I'd like to try it out on my next visit. Check out all of their unique flavors and a description of their "healthy" ice cream here. Their tag line is "Get Cultured. Eat Culture Cream". Love it! Hudson Brewing Company: In the spirit of Hudson's infamous history as a supplier of illicit beer during Prohibition, having a craft brewery in Hudson only seems fitting. However, when Hudson Brewing Company opened in 2015 it was surprisingly the first brewery in Hudson since Prohibition. Hudson Brewing Company is a little off the main Warren Street drag. It is located in the large Antique Warehouse by the river front. After an afternoon of shopping on Warren Street, we took the short drive over to Hudson Brewing Company for a quick refreshment. In addition to the bar where you can sample the various craft beers (and cider), they have an outdoor food truck to provide something to gnosh on while you sip. It has a very cool and casual atmosphere with a great outdoor space when weather is warmer. We were able to catch the end of the Buffalo Bills game at the same time! Win/Win! Conclusion..Get Yourself to Hudson for a Day Trip or a Weekend Getaway! Hudson is a perfect day trip from NYC or Saratoga (or other upstate locations). There is a lot to see and several restaurants you may want to try, so Hudson would be a great place for a weekend getaway as well. It was a little dead in January, but it would be so much fun to visit in the Spring, Summer or Fall when things are bustling and everything is open. Hudson has a little something for everyone and I love its' cool, artsy vibe. I highly recommend a visit!

Over the holidays, my daughters and I were looking for something fun to do while they were visiting me in Saratoga Springs. Taylor, my youngest daughter, suggested taking a short drive (just over an hour) to visit Mass MoCA (the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) in North Adams, Massachusetts. I agreed, even though I am not the biggest museum fan. I am so glad she suggested it because it was an incredible afternoon that I highly recommend! The drive through charming small towns and beautiful scenery was easy and relaxing and the Museum itself was breathtaking in more ways than one! The Beautiful Mass MoCA Buildings Are Historic and Artistic in Their Own Right! Mass MoCA is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States. The Museum is housed in a converted factory that used to produce printed textiles up until 1942 when it was closed due to the impacts of the Depression. All of the buildings in the factory complex were originally built between 1870 and 1900. The 19th century complex is listed on the National Historic Register and the 26 buildings are connected by an elaborate system of interlocking courtyards and passageways that the Museum curators have expertly integrated into the presentation of the art exhibits. The brick facades, industrial accents and large windows are rich with history and create an architectural ambiance that perfectly complements the amazing art displayed within. I spent almost as much time admiring the details of the buildings as I did the incredible art. The Mass MoCA Art Exhibits We spent several hours at the Museum and didn't even come close to seeing all of the exhibits listed on the Museum's website. You should plan for several hours if you want to see it all in one trip OR you can plan to split it up and take a couple of day trips to cover the whole Museum. There are many long-term exhibits supplemented by several temporary exhibits that are only on display for a designated period. There are exhibits from well-known artists as well as new and emerging artists. The exhibits are mostly large-scale, immersive installations. The experience at Mass MoCA is so different than what you would typically experience at a more traditional museum. This is exactly what I really enjoyed about my Mass MoCA visit. Many of the exhibits were artistic representations of deeper ideas and concepts that really made me think as I experienced the art. Here are a few of my favorites from what we saw: SOL LEWITT: The Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective is a amazing exhibition of 105 wall drawings installed on three floors of a 27,000 square foot mill building specifically renovated for this show. The work is on display for an unprecedented 35-year period. The three floors represent his work Early Career, Mid-Career and Later Career respectively. The exhibit clearly shows the progression of his work and his wall drawings are certainly distinctive and visually intriguing. EJ HILL: The EJ Hill: Brake Run Helix exhibit was fun because of the bright pink colors and neon lights, not to mention the fully-functional, rideable roller coaster! We were there just in time for an actual performance of the art installation when one of the Museum employees took a ride on the pink EJ Hill roller coaster. EJ Hill has been obsessed with roller coasters since he was young, constantly sketching roller coaster designs. His works reflect this passion in sculptures and paintings. The title of the exhibit, Brake Run Helix, comes from two essential elements required for a functional roller coaster design: a brake run and a helix. The brake run is a section of the track meant to slow or stop a coaster's carts giving riders "a moment to collect themselves, for their minds to catch up with their bodies." The helix is a moment in a roller coaster's track when the carts complete at least one 360 degree turn: "a moment of intense g-force and forcible perspectival shift". While the functional roller coaster in the Brake Run Helix exhibit does not contain a brake run or a helix, the title can be interpreted to be an artistic representation "of social and environmental structures that mercilessly subject the body to outside forces." [Quotes from the EJ Hill pamphlet provided by the Museum.] MARK SWANSON: Mark Swanson's exhibit, A Memorial to Ice at the Dead Deer Disco, was a strange but moving exhibit meant to represent the relationship between humans, culture and the natural world. The ruins in the art sculptures and environments he created "symbolize a bleak future resulting from the impending loss and inevitable results of climate change, a future which could have been avoided, but now comes with consequences beyond our control." The installation represents the two spaces where Mr. Swanson felt the most comfortable and spiritually connected-the nightclubs of his youth and in the woods today. Despite this comfort, both places became sites of threat due to climate change and the AIDS crisis. Mr. Swanson creates an intriguiging and eerily uncomfortable space with his sculptures and environments reflecting humans' destruction of the natural world. [Quotes from the Mark Swanson pamphlet provided by the Museum.] LOUISE BOURGEOIS: Louise Bourgeois transformed emotions about intimacies and traumas of childhood, marriage, motherhood, and artistic struggles into physical form through her artwork. She used a variety of materials and mediums in her work that evoke a highly provocative feeling when observing them. She was intrigued by the subconscious and it is said her artwork is an expression of repressed feelings from anger to fear, love and desire. There is definitely a feminine energy to her work and I really enjoyed the pieces in her exhibit. SOME OTHER AMAZING EXHIBITS WE SAW: In addition to the highlighted artists above, there were many other amazing art pieces we got to experience at Mass MoCA. Here is a teaser to encourage you to plan your own visit! Performing Arts at Mass MoCA Besides the unexpected performance art experience we happened to catch with the EJ Hill roller coaster, we did not attend any other live performances at Mass MoCA. However, Mass MoCA presents numerous performances year round. In fact, 50% of Mass MoCA's programming resources are devoted to performing arts. Live events include popular music, contemporary dance, alternative cabaret, world music dance parties, outdoor silent films with live music, avant -garde theater, documentaries and music festivals. Check out their schedule of performances here and maybe you can combine a Museum visit with a performance! Where to Get Sustenance for Your Mass MoCA Day? If you need to take a break during your visit to Mass MoCA, there are several places to grab a bite to eat or something to drink right at the Mass MoCA complex. Lickety Split at Mass MoCA: This cafe is right in the Main Building of the Museum. They serve delicious sandwiches, salads, coffee and ice cream to go. They also offer yummy baked goods. I had a slice of pumpkin bread that hit the spot when we took a quick snack break! Door Prize: Located right outside of the Museum, this spot serves sandwiches and more. It has limited hours so it may not be open depending on when you visit. Tunnel City Coffee: Located to the side of the Museum, you can get your caffeine boost here. Bright Ideas Brewing: Maybe a craft beer is more your speed? No worries, Bright Ideas Brewing is located right outside of the Museum and serves beer that is brewed right on site. Planning Your Day at Mass MoCA Mass MoCA is open Wednesdays through Mondays from 10-5. Advanced timed entry tickets are highly recommended, although we were fine just walking in to purchase tickets. Tickets prices are $20 for Adults, $12 for Students, $8 for Children Under 16 (Children Under 5 are free!). Note that there is a Free Museum Day on Saturday, January 28th! You would definitely want to reserve a timed entry ticket if you want to take advantage of the Free Day. Reserve or purchase entry tickets here. I suggest you check out all of the exhibits that will be there when you plan to visit at the Mass MoCA website to get an idea of what things you want to see if you don't have time to explore all the exhibits. The exhibits are all very different and there is sure to be something for everyone! I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Mass MoCA and I think you will be too. Even if you don't consider yourself the "artsy" type, the exhibits are so fun and different it will definitely capture your interest. Enjoy and let me know what your favorite exhibit was!

I am lucky enough to live a short distance from New York City so I like to plan a visit every Christmas to take in the sights and sounds of the City during the holidays. Even if you don't live close enough to make an annual trip, you should make plans to visit NYC at least once during the holiday season. If you come, be sure to bring a large dose of patience, warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes because there will be lots of people, probably cold weather and you will be logging a lot of steps as you make your way around the City. BUT you will also have an experience you will never forget and you will leave with the perfect gifts from the holiday markets. You will also be full of holiday cheer to carry you through the season! Best Places to Check Out Decorations Around New York City Rockefeller Center: Of course the decorations at Rockefeller Center are the most iconic image of Christmas in New York City. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree stays lit 24 hours a day and towers over the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center. Ice skating at the Rockefeller rink is a quintessential NYC winter experience. You need to buy a ticket to reserve a time for your ice skating. You can buy tickets here. The Channel Gardens, lined with 12 iconic Clarebout angels, are also located in the Rockefeller Plaza and lead directly to the Tree or directly to the Saks Fifth Avenue light display if you look the other way. Department Store Windows and Interior Decorations: Be sure to check out the holiday displays of the many retailers around the City, particularly along 5th Avenue and around Herald Square. The big retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue (which is on Fifth Avenue right across the street from Rockefeller Center), Bloomingdales and Macys at Herald Square are particularlly known for their extravagant decorations and window displays. The window displays are usually centered around a particular story or theme. The pictures I have included in this blog are from a 2019 visit. Every year the window displays are different so it is fun to visit every year and see what designs they have come up with for the season. Here is a link to a Time Out article highlighting the best window displays of 2023. In addition to the window display at Saks Fifth Avenue, they have a classic exterior light show that starts at sundown and lasts for about 5 minutes. It replays every 10-15 minutes after dark. Larger Than Life Decorations Around the City: Placed all around the City are larger than life decorations perfect for that holiday Instagram pic. The large string of Christmas lights shown in the picture at the start of this blog are located at Rockefeller Center. There are also the iconic large red Christmas ornaments that are one of the most photographed holiday decorations in NYC. They are located on Sixth Avenue right across from the Radio City Music Hall. The fountain outside of the Plaza Hotel also has some beautiful decorations for that perfect holiday photo. There are so many places with amazing decorations for taking that Instaworthy photo around the City. Just keep your eyes open and you will find them around every corner. Hudson Yards Mall: The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards is an indoor mall that is stunningly decorated for the holidays in thousands of white lights. It is breathtaking when you enter through the doors. It is the perfect place to go when the weather isn't great because it is an indoor mall with lots of great shopping and dining choices. You can also find several other things to do besides shopping and dining like going to the Edge and taking in a 360 degree panoramic view of the City by standing on a clear glass platform that is 100 floors up. The Vessel, an iconic NY art installation is also located in Hudson Yards right next to the mall so you can see that as well. Best Holiday Experiences to Have in New York City The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. The Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall is a Christmas tradition that has stood the test of time. We took our daughters when they were younger and it was quite the spectacle. It lived up to all of the hype and I highly recommend going at least once if you find yourself in NYC at Christmastime. You can grab some pre-show photos at the Red Ball Ornament display mentioned above or a Large Candy Cane display that is right across the street from Radio City Music Hall. Christmas Markets at Union Square and Bryant Park. If you are looking for a unique gift for that hard to buy for person on your list, I recommend going to the holiday markets in NYC. The two biggest markets are the Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market and the Bryant Park Winter Village. Each market has hundreds of vendors in outdoor booths selling crafts, art, home accessories, clothing and other unique items. Each market also has a number of vendors selling food and snacks to give you energy to keep shopping. We went to both markets and there are a lot of the same vendors at both. The Bryant Park Winter Village is a little bigger and also has ice skating and a bar. Either one provides a great venue for finding unique gifts, grabbing a bite to eat and getting in the holiday spirit! Oscar Wilde NYC. If you are not feeling the Christmas spirit, the first place you need to stop is Oscar Wilde NYC on West 27th Street in the NoMad District of New York. If you can't get in a festive mood after visiting the extensively decorated Christmas bar, we will just call you Scrooge! This bar is so unique it is a great spot to stop even when its not decked out with Christmas decor. Interestingly, the Victorian styled space was home to the Prohibition Enforcement Headquarters in 1919 and it was subsequently discovered that the phone lines of the Headquarters had been tapped for months (allegedly by the Mob!). After Prohibiton ended the space was inhabited by a number of different businesses until it was finally turned into the unique Oscar Wilde NYC. The bar has a large art and object collection that is displayed all around the space. It also boasts the longest bar in NYC at 118.5 feet. When Christmas comes around, this already unique space is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. They have a food menu, a specialty cocktail menu, and a selection of reserve whiskey/mezcal/tequila. There is also a live DJ spinning Christmas music and throwback dance tunes to keep the festive energy high. It is a must see if you are in the City over Christmas. Apparently they also go all out with their Halloween decor so keep them in mind if you are visiting the City in October! It is a popular spot, so make a reservation to be sure you can get in. Craft and Carry (Several Locations). After a full day of holiday activities, you may be looking for something a little more low-key. Craft and Carry has several locations throughout New York City. They are a tap room with the best local, hyperlocal and independent craft beers, hard seltzers and ciders on tap. They also offer bottles and cans so you can "carry" the craft beers and ciders out to your home or function. Between the taps and the bottles there are over 300+ options! In addition to the selection of beverages and the comfy, cozy atmosphere, each Craft and Carry location offers free skee ball for your entertainment. Check out their website here to see what's on tap and find the location closest to you! Obviously there are hundreds of things to do in New York City over the holidays. The suggestions in this blog are just a few to get you started. If you find something new on your holiday visit, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to my to-do list for next Christmas! Happy Holidays!

The Leroy House, located in the West Village of New York City, is self-described as a "uniquely American neighborhood restaurant". I recently had dinner here with my daughter, her friends and their moms at our annual "Mom's Christmas Weekend" in the City. The evening was perfect with great food, excellent service and a warm and cozy atmosphere. The Leroy House menu consists of a variety of pasta, meat and seafood dishes. There are also a number of "Small Bites" and Salads to supplement your meal. We ordered Hand-Cut Frites and Crispy Calamari to start us off. I am not a seafood eater, but I heard no complaints about the Calamari. I can speak from personal experience regarding the Hand-Cut Frites. They were perfectly prepared with a light brown, crispy outside and warm, soft inside. For dinner 5 of the 6 of us (including me!) ordered the Mafaldine Bolognese and we all agreed it was excellent! To see all of the options check out their dinner menu here. As I mentioned, the atmosphere in the restaurant is very warm and cozy creating a very intimate setting to enjoy dinner with friends, family or a date! The main dining room seats 60, and even though it was full, it wasn't loud and we were able to carry on conversations at a table of six without any difficulty. The back window displayed beautiful Christmas decorations, but usually looks out onto a private backyard garden. There are also outdoor seating areas if you are looking to socially distance or enjoy outdoor dining during the warmer months. If you find yourself in the West Village, or somewhere close where you can easily get to the West Village, I recommend you check out The Leroy House! Reservations can be made on the Resy app if you are technologically inclined or you can just contact the restaurant directly. Read more about The Leroy House and reach the Resy link here. Cheers!

For a more detailed description of the places referenced in this Quick Guide, please check out my blog Best of Austin-Ultimate Guide here. Best Places To Stay: There are several different "Districts" in downtown Austin that each have their own distinct vibe. You should pick a hotel that is located in the District that is situated closest to the things you are most interested in. Here is a summary of some of the more popular entertainment Districts: Congress Ave Historical District Sixth Street Entertainment District Rainey Street District Red River Cultural District Second Street District I stayed at the Driskill Hotel in the Sixth Street Entertainment District which is the oldest operating hotel in Austin. For a complete description of each district and more details on the Driskill, read my blog here. Best Things To Do: Congress Street Bats State Capitol Tours Lady Bird Lake University of Texas-Austin Campus South Congress ("SoCo") Shopping Esther's Follies Bars on Sixth Street Zilker Park/Barton Springs Pool/Zilker Botanical Gardens Best Places To Eat: Jo's Coffee-Breakfast Tacos Cooper's Old Time Pit BBQ Moonshine Bar and Grill 1886 Cafe & Bakery Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

For a more detailed description of the places referenced in this Quick Guide, please check out my blog Best of San Antonio-Ultimate Guide here. Best Place To Stay: No question here, stay somewhere on the Riverwalk! I highly recommend Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk. Best Way to Get Your Bearings: City Sightseeing Hop On/Hop Off Tour Bus. Best Things To Do: Walk or Cruise the Riverwalk Tour the Alamo Historic Market Square La Villita Historic Art Village Pearl Shopping District Gruene Historic District/New Braunfels Best Places To Eat: La Panaderia Bakery and Cafe Domingo

For a more detailed description of the places referenced in this Quick Guide, check out my Best of Nashville-Ultimate Guide here. Best Places To Stay: In the Gulch. Many Air Bnbs in this location. Downtown Nashville. I recommend Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown. Best Way to Get Your Bearings: Old Town Trolley Nashville Tours. Best Things to Do: Honkey Tonk Bar Crawl (Of Course!) Country Line Dance Lessons at Wildhorse Saloon Ryman Auditorium (See a show or take a tour of this historic location.) Gaylord Convention Center/Grand Ole Opry Yee Haw Brewery/Ole Smokey Distillery Country Music Hall of Fame Johnny Cash/Patsy Cline Museum Best Places to Eat: Hot Chicken at Prince's or Hattie B's Assembly Food Hall Biscuit Love Milk & Honey Yee Haw Brewery Goo Goo Chocolate Store Best Places to Shop: The Gulch-Kittenish, Parish Boutique, Paddywax Candles, The Turnip Truck Urban Fare, Urban Outfitters, Lululemon, and other design studios and clothing boutiques. Marathon Village-Antique Archealogy (owned by Mike Wolfe of American Pickers), The Ville Merch, Boswell's Harley Davidson, Jack Daniels General Store, Nashville Olive Oil Company, and other jewelry and home decor stores. Also moonshine and whiskey tasting at Tennessee Legend Distillery. Broadway-Located near Assembly Food Hall, features many high end chain stores as well as the Nash Collection for that trendy Nashville sweatshirt.

Most people have heard of the iconic Red Rock Amphitheatre and have a Bucket List item to see a concert there. But Red Rocks is also nostalgic for me. I grew up in Colorado so I was fortunate enough to go to many concerts there. I took the experience for granted and didn't realize that I was setting the bar so high that any future concert venues would pale in comparison. Since my early concert going days, there have been many changes to the Amphitheatre that have improved the visitor experience whether you make it to a concert or just take a trip to see the famous red rocks. Back in the Day... When I used to go to concerts at Red Rocks, the whole place was General Admission. We would arrive SUPER early in the morning and line up at the gate. The doors (at the top of the Amphitheatre) opened at 11:00 am and everyone would run down the stairs (carrying their blankets and coolers) to grab their spots. I had great seats to a lot of concerts and made a lot of concert friends waiting in line and sitting in Red Rocks all day waiting for the concert to start. I also learned some hard lessons about day drinking in the sun! Back in the day, Red Rocks was a BYOB venue and you could pack your cooler full of drinks for a day of partying until the concert began. It should go without saying that drinking alcohol all day in the intense Colorado sun is not a good combination, but...YOUTH. I still can't drink Rum and Coke to this day. I learned it is VERY important to hydrate with water along the way AND to space out your drinks. At some point the venue switched to have mostly assigned seats with a small area of General Admission seats in the middle of the seating area. That changed the way people experienced Red Rocks. However, you can still snag good seats on the side of the seating area in flat planting garden areas if you get there early enough. Present Day... The Red Rocks Amphitheatre has been upgraded in many ways. As noted above, most seats are assigned so you don't have to arrive at the crack of dawn just to see your favorite band. My younger self wouldn't think this was an improvement, but my older self definitely appreciates this change. Another change occurred in 1997 when in-house concessions for wine and beer opened and ended the BYOB era. Red Rocks has also added a Red Rocks Museum at the top of the Amphitheatre which highlights the history of the park and documents all of the acts that have performed at Red Rocks over the years. It was interesting to learn that Red Rocks was named best performance venue so many times by Pollstar (a professional journal for concert promoters) that they finally removed Red Rocks from the yearly competition and named it the "Red Rocks Award". It was also fun to look at the list of shows at Red Rocks each year (especially for 1981-1987) and check off all of the shows I attended. Memories.... Not Just for Concerts... Here are some other ways to spend a day at Red Rocks in case you don't make a concert there: Head up for a work out on the Red Rock stairs. There is a 100 foot elevation difference from the stage to the top row. Go for a hike. The Red Rocks Park has several hiking trails around the area that provide heart-pumping climbs and beautiful views. We did the Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Trails and I took several Insta-worthy pics. Find a map and a description of the Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Trail from All Trails here. Eat lunch at Ship Rock Grille. Check out the Red Rocks Museum at the top of the Amphitheatre. Go the Trading Post just outside the Amphitheatre for Red Rocks souvenirs, apparel and historical memorabilia. You can also visit the Colorado Music Hall of Fame exhibit here. Other Interesting Facts... Check out this article from The Denver Post from June 2, 2016, for 75 interesting facts about the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Some historical info as well as some tidbits of gossip about acts that have played at Red Rocks. A Red Rocks Story That Involves One of My Biggest Regrets... In 1983, I was a young college student at CSU. My friend Shelley was a big fan of this up and coming band named U2 and she asked me if I wanted to attend their concert at Red Rocks. I think I initially said yes, but on the day of the show it was pouring rain. I didn't really know the band and didn't feel like sitting outside in the downpour so backed out at the last minute. Shelley, being the superfan that she was, went anyway and experienced rock and roll history. According to the exhibit at the Red Rocks Museum, U2 couldn't cancel the show without losing money on the film crew they had hired to film "Under a Blood Red Sky" so they played the show in the pouring rain and asked all the faithful fans who had shown up (only about 4,400 of the 9,000 ticket sold-out show) to crowd to the front so the venue looked full when they filmed the video. That video is iconic and rocketed U2 and Red Rocks to international acclaim. U2 has not ever played at Red Rocks again. Shelley will never let me forget this lapse in judgment and my missed opportunity to be part of a historic rock moment. Ironically I became a huge U2 fan after that and have huge regrets about that decision. You should definitely try to plan a visit to Colorado around a concert you would like to see so you can experience this premier music venue. But if the scheduling doesn't work out, still make time to take a trip to Morrison to explore all that Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre has to offer. There is a lot more to see and do then just the awesome music!