4 New England Restaurants You Should Check Out

This month I took a look at some of the top reasons to visit New England. One thing I didn’t focus on in that post, though, was food. Below are four restaurants you should visit the next time you’re in the New England area.

BLACK TRUMPET

Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire Black Trumpet’s dinner menu boasts chicken leg fricassee and pan-fried sunchoke pierogi among many other delights. Chef Evan Mallett was a James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef, Northeast in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

AL FORNO

One of the best restaurants you’ll find in Providence, RI (and all of New England) is Al Forno. This legendary spot offers some of the best thin-crust pizza you’ll ever taste.

HEN OF THE WOOD

Hen of the Wood has been serving guests since 2005. The menu changes daily based on local ingredients, but every visitor agrees: each dish is delicious.

AMERICAN SEASONS

At American Seasons you’ll find wine, scallops, and a line that’s out the door. If you want to visit, make sure you make your reservation weeks in advance.

 

New England Travel Guide

*This post originally appeared on www.ryanhemphill.net.

New England has it all: history, delicious food, and breathtaking landscapes. The six states that make up New England have something to offer everyone—whether you’re a city lover or an outdoor enthusiast. Below are some of the top reasons why you should make New England your next vacation destination.

 

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located in Maine, and it’s the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River. The park features mountains, forests, and coastlines. Echo Lake Beach is a must-visit for bird watchers who want to catch a glimpse of peregrine falcons. Another section of the park that’s worth visiting is the Thunder Hole. The Thunder Hole is a rock formation along the Atlantic coast that makes a clapping sound when water rushes into it. At times it also sprays water as high as 40 feet into the air.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

The Mount Washington Cog Railway was the first cog railway in the world with the ability to climb up a mountain. It’s still in operation today and offers unparalleled views of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The train climbs up the mountain at 3 miles an hour, and it takes about an hour to reach the top.

Mystic Seaport

Visiting Mystic Seaport is like stepping back in time to the 19th century. The living history museum features a number of ships that were built during the late 19th century. When you visit you will also find a recreation of a 19th-century coastal village and the Preservation Shipyard where workers use traditional shipbuilding methods to make ships. Visit Mystic Seaport’s website to learn more.

Kancamagus Highway

Along the 34.5-miles of the Kancamagus Highway you won’t get good cell phone reception or see any hotels, but you will see some of the best fall foliage in New England. If you plan to drive down the Kancamagus Highway, then make sure you fill up your tank before the trip. The luxuries of modern life are left behind when you start your journey.

 

Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and home to the Boston Red Sox. The park opened in 1912 and has a number of interesting features like the lone red seat. The lone red seat can be found in the right field bleachers. It marks the spot where the longest home run in Fenway history was hit.

New England has so much to offer visitors. No matter which state you visit you’ll find beauty and excitement. To learn more about New England visitDiscover New England.

What You Need To Know Before Visiting Colombia

*This post originally appeared on www.ryanhemphill.net.

As a result of the popularity of the Netflix show Narcos, more Americans are thinking about Colombia. Yet the country has a lot more to offer than a dark past haunted by Pablo Escobar. If you are planning on visiting Colombia, below are some things you should keep in mind.

It’s Safe To Visit

While Pablo Escobar remains a popular media subject, Colombia’s days of drug violence have mostly vanished. Colombia’s capital city Bogotá feels just like any other major city. In fact, the capital, in addition to being home to numerous museums and galleries, is known as the Athens of South America due to the number of its educational institutions.

The Colombian Peso

The Colombian Peso is in denominations of mil (Spanish for one thousand). Don’t be surprised if you see a cappuccino that costs 5 mil. You can use notes of 1000, 2000, and even 50,0000 pesos.

You Probably Don’t Need A Visa

US citizens who travel to Colombia as tourists don’t need a tourist visa. If you travel to the country for business, though, the visa requirements might be different so make sure you do additional research before booking your trip.

Check The Weather

The weather you’ll experience on your trip depends on which city you visit. For example, the average monthly temperature in Bogota is 58 °F. On the other hand, the coastal city of Cartagena has a tropical climate where temperatures usually average in the 80s. If you plan to travel to multiple Colombian cities, then make sure you bring appropriate clothes for different climates.

Don’t Be Afraid To Haggle

It’s common practice to haggle with street vendors in big cities like Bogotá and Medellín. When a street vendor quotes you a price on something, you don’t have to accept it. Negotiation is an accepted practice, and it’s the best way to get a cheap deal. The first price that street vendors quote is usually incredibly higher than what they are willing to sell for.

Coffee

Colombia has some of the highest coffee production in the world. The country loves coffee so much that there’s even a theme park that’s dedicated to coffee production. It’s called the National Coffee Park. When you visit make sure you get a cup of café tinto (black coffee).

Salsa

If you’re a fan of salsa dancing, then you’ll love Colombia. And if you’ve always wanted to learn the dance, there’s no better place than Santiago de Cali. Cali is often called the “Capital de la Salsa.” To learn more about salsa in Colombia, read this article.

Aguardiente

Aguardiente means fiery water. The spirit usually has between 25%-30% alcohol content and is drank neat. In the Andean regions of the country, aguardiente has been the most popular alcoholic drink since Spanish rule. A celebration in Colombia wouldn’t be complete without it.

A Fall Weekend In New York

New York is a wonderful place to visit. Whether you’re planning a weekend exploring the city or want to check out the state’s beautiful fall scenery, here are some activities you should check out in the fall season.

Ghost Tours

New York City may be known as one of the top cities for its history of art. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, taking a ghost tour in the Big Apple is a must on your bucket list. The tours are held throughout New York City’s oldest neighborhoods, and tell stories of the past. All tours are 90 minutes long and and include a licensed guide that tells the history of some of the world’s most famous artists such as Harry Houdini, Edgar Allen Poe, and Walt Whitman. This is a great way for some over the top entertainment, and maybe even a spook!

Open House NY

You’ve probably seen a majority of New York’s architecture from the outside, but how about the foundation? Each year, many buildings and sites open up to the public to learn about the history and design behind some of New York’s famous buildings. The sites include tours, talks and performances. This is great for locals and tourists to get behind the scene exclusives of the Big Apple. This event only takes place two days in October, so be sure to plan ahead.

Onboard Oktoberfest NY

Many of us don’t have the time to travel to Germany for Oktoberfest, but now you can experience the festival right in the Big Apple’s backyard. Take a 2.5 hour cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park. While on the cruise, enjoy the festivities of Germany’s Oktoberfest while indulging in food, beer, and live music (on the water)! Stop at the state park for three hours where you can enjoy the nature’s amazing fall scenery, hiking/ biking trails, or check out the lake. Getting away from the city for a day has never been so easy!

NY Botanical Garden

Everyone agrees that fall is the most beautiful time of year. The Botanical Garden, located in the Bronx, is a fascinating site to fill your heart with autumn happiness. The site includes over 250 acres of gardens, and offers different exhibitions along with educational learning experiences and programs. Enjoy scenery walks, tours of the world’s largest plant institution, or hands on activities fun for the whole family. The site is so serene, that you’ll forget you’re even in the city!

Sports

Autumn is not only known for it’s scenery, but also sports. Although located in East Rutherford, NJ, the Metlife stadium is home to the New York’s historical football teams; the Giants and the Jets. Fall is a great time to catch a football game, as well as, still having time to catch a baseball game at the Yankees Stadium or Citi Field. Even if you’re not a sports fan, the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden are the city’s greatest places to attend concerts and speakers, (as well as grab a basketball game).

Whether you’re a New York native or just a tourist visiting the city in the fall, these events are wonderful for a day or weekend trip.

The Best Travel Websites

Research is one of the most important elements of any trip. The internet has made it easier than ever to plan the perfect trip. Below are some of my favorite websites that help me plan my travels.

• Yelp
  One of the best ways to find restaurants.
• Kayak
  Kayak is great for hotel and flight listings.
• Airbnb
  This site is becoming more and more popular each year. If you don’t want to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast when you travel, have a look at Airbnb’s listings.
• Momondo
  Momondo is pretty similar to Kayak. A good strategy is to use Momondo, Kayak, and Google Flights in order to find the cheapest listings.