Why October Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts, is nicknamed the Halloween capital of the world for good reason. To celebrate Halloween and the rich history of Salem, the city throws a month-long festival called Haunted Happenings. On any given day in October, you can expect between 5 and 30 different events — some recurring, some that happen only once.

Bring your costumes and an open mind, and Salem will do the rest. From palm readings and seances to intense historical reenactments and meet-and-greets with famous authors, Salem takes a stab at every element of Halloween.

Follow along below for reasons why Salem is a must-visit, especially during the spookiest month of the year.

Wander Around The Festivals

Salem Psychic Fair and Witches’ Market

October 1 To October 31

This one-of-a-kind market places Salem-certified psychics in the spotlight. Tarot card readings, clairvoyant visions, crystal ball scrying, past life readings, and spirit mediumship are just a few services psychics provide during the festival. While there, meet practicing witches and check out authentic spell kits, enchanted candles, crystals, and much more.

Salem Horror Fest

October 3 To October 27

This festival is described as “an exploration of cultural fears through the lens of horror.” The festival delves into horror and Halloween through different art mediums. Each event varies, but visitors can look forward to live podcast episodes, screenings of timeless horror films, lectures, celebrity meet-and-greets, live music, and more.

The cast of Clue at the Hawthorne Hotel. — HeadFirstEvents.com

Enjoy Live Entertainment

Carrie: The Musical

October 18-20, 24-25, 27, 31

Based on the 1974 classic by Stephen King, this book-turned-film-turned-musical (wow, that’s a mouthful!) is sure to give viewers a fright.

Clue: Live

September 27-28, October 4-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24, And November 1 And 2

Clue: Live will involve dinner and a theatrical adaptation of the best crime board game around, all in the legendary Hawthorne Hotel in the heart of Salem.

Saltonstall’s Trial: The Salem Witch Trial’s Untold Story

October 17-20 And 24-27

Nathaniel Saltonstall — a judge and skeptic of the witch trials — “is forced to choose between integrity and self-preservation” when he is elected to carry out the court sentencing of suspected witches. Learn more about the true story during this live performance.

Legacy Of The Hanging Judge

October 11-13, 18-19, And 25-26

This live performance takes place in the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the novelist known for The Scarlet Letter and The House of The Seven Gables.

There are plenty of other live shows that represent the bone-chilling history of Salem, including Tales at the Witch House and Imprisoned! 1692.

Go On Mystical Tours

Trolley tours, walking tours, and harbor tours await travelers. The following is a list of a few Salem tours that caught our eye.

Bewitched After Dark Walking Tours

This beloved tour will teach you about Salem’s colonial history and the history of witchcraft in Salem. Due to high demand, we recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time.

Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours

Grab your lantern and join costumed guides on an eerie after-hours journey through Salem.

The Salem Witch Museum. — SalemWitchMuseum.com

Learn About Salem’s Frightening History

Although the following museums are open year-round, each manages to tap into the Halloween spirit by delving into Salem’s uncanny history.

Salem Witch Museum

This museum paints a true-to-life picture of the horrors that occurred in 1692 through life-size stage sets and haunting narration. The second exhibit informs visitors about witchcraft through the ages, even touching on forms of witchcraft practiced today.

Witch Dungeon Museum

During this immersive museum experience, you’ll witness a chilling reenactment of a witch trial adapted from historical transcripts.

Salem Witch Trial Memorial

Pay your respects by visiting this memorial, consisting of 20 benches, one for each witch-trial victim.

Salem Wax Museum And Salem Witch Village

Known as Salem’s haunted village, this area of Salem includes a wax museum and spooky shops.

People in downtown Salem, Massachusetts. — Dee Browning / Shutterstock

How To Get There

The best way to reach Salem is obviously by broomstick, but if yours isn’t currently equipped for flight, consider traveling from Boston, which is only 15 miles south of Salem. If you want to travel by train, You can hop on the Newburyport/Rockport Line from Boston’s North Station. The train will drop you off right in Salem.

You can also take the scenic route and board the Salem Ferry out of Boston’s Long Wharf; the ride is only an hour each way. If you rent a car, you can drive right to Salem, but prepare for traffic and paid parking.

Or, better yet, book a room at one of Salem’s best hotels and make a night of it.

Salem Tips And Tricks

We highlighted some of the most magical events, but there are tons of other spooky Salem events worth looking into.

If you enjoy being active, the Witch City 5k is a family-friendly, costume-encouraged walk for the whole family. If you want to experience the spirits culture in Salem — that is, alcoholic spirits — consider Salem’s Spirits Trolley, Broomstick Beer Flight Thursdays, and Wicked Bloody Mary Sundays.

Fascinating, diabolical, hair-raising fun is waiting for you at Haunted Happenings in Salem, Massachusetts. After experiencing the magic of Halloween in Salem, don’t miss these 11 things everyone should do in Boston.

Food And Music In Nashville: The Best Restaurants With Live Bands

When you spend time in Nashville, you’re guaranteed to enjoy yourself. Nashville is synonymous with great music and great food. So what could be better than enjoying both at the same time? Don’t make the mistake of thinking Music City is only country music or only Southern cuisine, even though both are excellent. No matter your taste or speed, Nashville’s got something for you to love. I should know. My love affair with Nashville was completely accidental.

Here’s what happened: I’m a proud city girl (the Windy City, to be specific), and I lived nearly all my adult life in the Northeast. Indianapolis is the farthest south I’ve ever lived. Now, with grandkids in Atlanta, road trips south are frequent.

Nashville was the halfway point on my frequent trips between Indianapolis and Atlanta, but I never stopped for anything other than gas or a snack on the road. One summer day I was headed south to Georgia. As the Nashville skyline came into view, I decided to see what the city was all about. Long story short, I left with my senses overloaded after two days of insanely good meals and some of the best live music I’d heard in ages. I gained a new appreciation for Music City, which is also called NashVegas because of its bright lights, live shows, and fun, lively atmosphere.

Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville. — f11photo / Shutterstock

Honky Tonk Highway

Along the stretch of Broadway that runs six blocks from the Cumberland River, you’ll find dozens of Nashville bars and restaurants. Expect these establishments’ doors and windows to be wide open, with bands playing great live music into the streets from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.

There’s no cover charge, so save your money for more important things including the ever-present tip jars! Kids are welcome at most places until 6 p.m. because in Music City people understand that kids of all ages should enjoy music!

According to Visit Music City, “a honky tonk is an establishment that contains at least one rockin’ stage, cold beverages, and a party that lasts all day, every day.” With that in mind, here are some of the best restaurants with live bands in Nashville.

The Stage On Broadway

This is one of my favorite spots on Broadway. Some of Nashville’s most talented musicians entertain in this live music venue seven days a week, and there is never a cover charge.

There are three bands playing on two floors and on the rooftop patio, so you can jam all night long, but I haven’t made it past the first floor yet. The music was that good! This spot has a long history of celebrity performances and sightings. The Stage on Broadway focuses primarily on country music with some occasional rock ’n’ roll. All ages are welcome during the day, but it’s 21+ after 6 p.m.

The menu has mainly dive bar cuisine: chips, salsa, chicken wings, and so on. The selection is limited, but don’t worry. There are lots of choices on Broadway.

Robert’s Western World

Check out Robert’s Western World on the Honky Tonk Highway. It stands in the shadow of the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

Formerly a steel guitar factory, this venue is a favorite of Nashville locals. They play good, classic country music, especially on Friday nights. Enter from the alley in the back to avoid the crowds on Broadway.

I would describe the cuisine at Robert’s as “nostalgic bar food.” In the days of crafted cocktails and avocado toast, Robert’s daily beer specials, fried pork chop sandwiches, corn dogs, and fried baloney sandwiches seem like unique treats. Drinks are served in plastic cups and are pretty basic. If you want classic bar food, this is the place.

Acme Feed And Seed

The number one reason to go to Acme Feed and Seed is for the huge rooftop that boasts one of the city’s best views of downtown and Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans. It’s also a great spot to kick back and do some day drinking or watch one of the occasional fireworks displays shot off over the Cumberland River.

Acme Feed and Seed is a four-story restaurant and bar located inside an old factory. The first floor features live country music and a wide range of interesting bar food. I had the Heaven-Lee Ribs — a half-rack of ribs — with mac and cheese, collard greens, and coleslaw. It was filling and delicious.

The second floor has a more upscale lounge and sushi bar and is a much quieter setting. Happy hour runs from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There are craft cocktails and Sunday brunch is available weekly. Acme’s third floor is a private event space.

When you visit Acme, you can choose a casual or upscale meal. There is live music nightly, but there’s a twist: It probably won’t be your typical country act. Go on Thursday night for Funky Tonk, a show that covers the funk standards.

Skull’s Rainbow Room

Skull’s Rainbow Room has one of the best combinations of food, music, and atmosphere in downtown Nashville. Take a detour a couple of blocks off Broadway through Printers Alley to try this great place. Guests flock to 222 Printers Alley to taste, sip, and experience the legendary dining and entertainment that has made Skull’s the cornerstone of Nashville’s historic Printers Alley district.

They don’t take reservations but the hostess can probably find you a seat at the bar or a table. They are very attentive. I had the broiled scallops with asparagus and mashed potatoes. Although the menu is Creole- and Cajun-inspired fine dining, I can’t say my dish was distinctively creole. But it was absolutely delicious.

The crooner, who had a deep, rich voice, added to the dark speakeasy atmosphere. I almost expected to see some film noir characters out of the corner of my eye or over my shoulder.

One more thing: Skull’s is famous for its burlesque shows. That’s right, burlesque. They do not take reservations or sell tickets for the burlesque shows, but if you would like to see the show without purchasing dinner, there’s a $20 cover charge. The burlesque shows are primarily standing room with bar seating depending on availability. Shows are Thursdays at 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m.

Bourbon Street Blues And Boogie Bar

Next door to Skull’s is the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. After a few minutes inside you could get so caught up in the blues that you could forget to order the food! This is a New Orleans-themed blues bar decorated with strings of neon-colored twinkling lights suspended from wrought-iron balconies. The blues music can be heard up and down Printers Alley. Between the neon sign and the rocking blues blaring through the speakers, you can’t miss it. If you want a taste of the Crescent City without venturing to Louisiana, this is the place to go.

In my experience, this is the place for authentic Cajun food, cold beer, and signature cocktails.

The Big Easy Hurricane and the NOLA Sweet Tea are two cocktails you cannot go wrong with. They are a natural fit. I had the mac and cheese, Alligator Bites, and Voodoo Wings (chicken wings covered in the bar’s signature Voodoo sauce). Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is a smaller club that will keep you dancing all night.

Station Inn

Not far from the trendy Gulch neighborhood is the Station Inn. Here, you’ll get a healthy dose of bluegrass daily with weekly jam sessions and live gospel music on Sundays.

The cuisine is casual; think hot dogs, pizza, beer, and soft drinks. The atmosphere is definitely pre-NashVegas. Still, it’s lively and loads of fun and invites you to enjoy the full Music City experience.

Sambuca

Head to Sambuca in the heart of the Gulch warehouse district. It features live music, an eclectic European-designed dining room, a glass-enclosed Skyloft, and a stunning rooftop patio that overlooks the iconic Nashville skyline.

As for music, you can find nightly live music as diverse as Sambuca’s menu is eclectic. Highlights include classic rock, sultry vocal numbers, crooners and jazz musicians, and artists who cover the Top 40.

Sambuca is a good place for Sunday brunch or an upscale date night. Live music starts at 6:30 p.m. Sambuca has a nice bar with an upper-level seating area and an outdoor patio. My shrimp and crab linguine was filling and delicious. Sambuca hosts a half-price happy hour weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. in the bar area; offerings include beers, wines by the glass, cocktails, and snacks.

Puckett’s Grocery And Restaurant

If you go to Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant downtown, go hungry. The menu has a huge variety of dishes to choose from, including hearty Southern breakfasts, meat specials, numerous sandwiches served with a Nashville twist, and a variety of favorite Tennessee entrees.

Puckett’s started out as a general store with a stage, but now it’s turned into one of the best venues in town with live music seven nights a week. They also host a showcase every Sunday at 7 p.m. where you might see a rising star!

Planning a Nashville bachelorette bash? Check out our guide to the best bachelorette Airbnbs in Nashville.

How To Visit Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle

There’s no greater way to celebrate your love for Downton Abbey than to visit Highclere Castle in southern England.

Much of Downton Abbey was filmed at the castle. While visiting, you’ll recognize the home of the Crawley family and be instantly transported to scenes that are guaranteed to fill you and your travel companions with nostalgia and excitement.

The castle isn’t open to the public year-round, which means careful planning is a must for your Highclere visit. Eager to go? We have tips for every step of your journey to the heart and soul of Downton Abbey!

History Of The Estate

The earliest record of Highclere Castle dates back to 749 B.C., when the estate belonged to the Bishops of Winchester. In 1679, the palace was rebuilt and renamed the Highclere Place House after being purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, attorney general to Charles II and James II.

In 1842, Sir Charles Barry gave the estate a facelift, remodeling Highclere Place House into Highclere Castle — the castle we know and love today.

After a long history of different occupants, the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon live in the castle today.

Highclere Castle, setting of Downton Abbey. — RichartPhotos/ Shutterstock.com

Know Before You Go

The castle is not open year-round to the general public, so make sure to check the castle’s calendar before planning your trip. From late 2019 to 2020, the castle is open around Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, April through May, and July through September. You can buy tickets once you arrive at the castle, but it’s common for tickets to sell out. We suggest you book ahead of time to play it safe.

For a more intimate adventure, you can book a private tour or a group tour for 20 to 53 people. These tours can be booked outside of general public tour times per request.

Getting To Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle is roughly 60 miles west of London and less than 10 miles south of Newbury. There are three popular means of travel that can get you there: car, train, or tour bus.

London is a popular starting point for travelers trekking to the castle. Some tourists like to rent a car and drive from London to the castle. If you’d prefer to sit back and relax instead of worrying about driving, you can also catch a train from London, but the farthest the train will take you is the station in Newbury. From there, you’ll take a taxi to the castle. There will be taxis waiting at the station, but when leaving the castle, you’ll have to call a taxi to take you back to the station.

There are also Highclere tour bus options. Expect an active and informative day, but know that these tours only operate during certain times of the year.

Monks Garden at Highclere Castle. — Ion Mes / Shutterstock.com

How To Spend A Day At The Castle

Highclere Castle sits on 1,000 acres of parkland, making the estate a sprawling sanctum in the English countryside. Rolling hills and manicured gardens around the castle add to the idyllic beauty of the estate. As long as the castle is open, the grounds of the estate are yours to explore. There are many trails to choose from, and this map can help you select the best trail for you.

There are three parts of the castle visitors are permitted to view: the state rooms, upstairs and downstairs, and the Egyptian exhibit.

Guests can visit six rooms during the state rooms tour, including the iconic library and drawing room. Downton Abbey fans will immediately recognize both. Visitors can also meander through 12 of the castle’s bedrooms.

The castle was once home to the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, who is best known for his discovery of the tomb of the Egyptian boy pharaoh, Tutankhamun, in 1922. In the cellar of the castle, an exhibition celebrates the Earl’s legendary discovery and collection of artifacts. If you’re interested in learning about his other achievements, the exhibition describes the incredible sequence of events leading to his discovery of the tomb.

If you get hungry during your time at Highclere, you can grab snacks or a light lunch from tea rooms in the castle. Or, even better, if you plan ahead, pack a lunch and picnic on the grounds overlooking the lovely English countryside!

Celebrate The Holidays At Highclere

Staff at the castle deck Highclere’s halls for the Christmas season. To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, you can book one of many Christmas-inspired Highclere Castle tours. The tours vary, but the months of November and December feature extravagant decor, champagne, caroling, and magical tours dedicated to conjuring up the Christmas spirit. To learn more about what Highclere Castle has to offer during the holidays, check out this list of events and tours you can book in advance.

Staying On The Estate Overnight

There are a few lodging options on the grounds of Highclere Castle. Grotto Lodge is a lovely circular home with a double bedroom and two bathrooms. London Lodge is another gorgeous option for a cozy stay for two. Complete with a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, full kitchen, and even a Chesneys wood burner, visitors have everything they need to nest and experience the castle’s grounds in all their splendor.

A stay on the grounds of Highclere Castle is ideal for country walks and soaking up the pastoral beauty of North Hampshire and West Berkshire. The estate neighbors Hungerford, meaning you’ll be just 30 minutes away from a handful of pubs and shops.

If you want to stay overnight but not necessarily on the castle grounds, check out the other options nearby — there’s everything from hotels and bed and breakfasts to inns and glamping.

Highclere Castle Mementos

To commemorate your time spent at the castle, make a pit stop at the gift shop. There, you can find the brand new, recently perfected Highclere Castle gin, just released to the general public. The gin is a “traditional London Dry Gin produced in England’s oldest distillery.”

Christmas at Highclere is a book detailing the magic of the holiday season at Highclere. The book has a little information about a lot. It includes details about the transformation of the castle around Christmas time as well as recipes from Lady Carnarvon herself. If you’d like to buy this lovely, informative book now, you can purchase it and other books written by Lady Carnarvon — a current resident of the castle — online.

Dine With Royals In November 2019

For one night and one night only, two lucky guests will get to stay in Highclere Castle and be treated like true royalty.

This once-in-a-lifetime stay, made possible by Airbnb, will take place on November 26, 2019. Join the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon for cocktails and dinner served by their very own butler.

After the feast, you can retire to your extravagant bedroom, which overlooks 1,000 acres of parkland.

Breakfast and a private tour of the castle, including rooms the iconic cast of Downton Abbey stepped foot in, and the grounds will take place in the morning.

Mark your calendars — reservation opportunities will begin on October 1st, at 12 p.m. BST!

If you’re UK bound and enjoy learning about the past, consider a walk through history in London’s Bankside District.

You can also experience royalty in these nine United Kingdom castles you can actually stay in or at one of these seven movie castles you can visit in real life.

9 Great Places To Go Camping In Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to some of the finest camping in the United States. The state’s parks offer every outdoor activity imaginable, from fishing and horseback riding to mountain biking and hiking, and the park campgrounds feature beautiful scenery, trails for campers of all ability levels, and conveniences like cabins, lodges, and yurts.

Here are nine of the best places to camp in Oklahoma.

1. Chickasaw National Recreation Area

If you’re ready for a water-based Oklahoma camping adventure, you’ll want to check out Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The park is located near Sulphur, Oklahoma, in the lower central portion of the state, where you’ll find springs, lakes, and streams aplenty. The large Lake of the Arbuckles offers the best bass fishing in the state, while Rock Creek provides beautiful swimming spots. If angling is more your thing, camp out at Veterans Lake for a day.

Chickasaw also offers beautiful forested hiking trails, including one leading to Little Niagara, a popular place for swimming and picnicking. If you take to the trails, you’ll find other waterfalls along the way, as well as multiple spring-fed swimming holes. Splash in some mineral springs, walk along the scenic bluffs, or sneak a peek at the resident buffalo herd.

There are basic tent campsites as well as three campgrounds with electric and water hookups in the park.

Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma. — Travel Oklahoma

2. Beavers Bend State Park

Beavers Bend State Park is a fantastic camping spot in the mountainous region of southeastern Oklahoma near Mountain Fork River and Broken Bow Lake. As you enter the park via winding roads lined with pine and hardwood forests, you’ll immediately see that the rugged terrain is an outdoorsman’s paradise.

You can enjoy horseback riding, fishing, hiking, boating, waterskiing, river floating, canoeing, and a variety of other outdoor activities in and near the park. Each river bend affords another striking view of the glorious Oklahoma hill country. The park’s popular David Boren Hiking Trail is 26 miles long and runs along the 14,220-acre lake.

If you’d prefer a more organized activity, you can grab your golf clubs and head to the on-site 18-hole Cedar Creek Golf Course. Tennis, volleyball, and miniature golf are also available.

Once you’re ready to settle in for the night, you can relax in one of the park’s rustic or modern cabins or your own RV or tent at any of the many campsites in the 3,482-acre park. If you’re not one to rough it, you can book a room at the Lakeview Lodge on the shores of Broken Bow Lake. But you still won’t be far from the beauty of nature — there are views of the water from every room.

3. Boiling Springs State Park

Another state park that you’ll want to add to your Oklahoma bucket list is Boiling Springs State Park. The park, which sits outside of Woodward, Oklahoma, in the northwestern portion of the state, is named for the natural “boiling” springs that greet visitors at the welcome center. The hiking trails throughout the park curve around Lake Shaul, the North Canadian River, and the Boiling Springs Well.

The park is home to timber forests, lakes, and streams; it’s an oddity amidst the sparse vegetation of northwestern Oklahoma’s semi-arid terrain. The springs are an oasis in the dry land and provide visitors with plenty of hiking and bird-watching opportunities. Fishing and swimming are also popular activities at Boiling Springs.

The park offers 40 RV sites, 12 tent campsites, and four cabins for rent. There are 150 picnic tables and grills around the park, along with three pavilions with electrical outlets and grill and water access.

A cabin at Greenleaf State Park. — Travel Oklahoma

4. Greenleaf State Park

In the hills of northeastern Oklahoma, you’ll find some beautiful camping at Greenleaf State Park. The mountains of the region are lush and green, offering visitors some of the prettiest scenery in the state.

During the day, you can hike one of the many trails, play some miniature golf, swim in Greenleaf Lake, enjoy a picnic, take the little ones to the playground, go mountain biking, or brave the swinging bridge over the lake.

The terrain of the park is stunning, and the conveniences of the campgrounds make Greenleaf State Park one of the more comfortable camping experiences on this list. The park features 16 cabins with full-size appliances, fireplaces, and satellite television. For the more outdoorsy folks, there are 98 RV campsites and 100 tent sites.

5. Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park

If you’re looking for something a little different from the standard campsite experience, the Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park might interest you. The former state park, located just 30 minutes from downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, consists of 300 acres of red rock cliffs from prehistoric soil deposits. It was a major landmark on the California Road, a route prospectors used to get to the West Coast during the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s.

Today, visitors can hike up the trails for splendid views of the surrounding landscapes, climb or rappel the cliffs, or swim in the seasonal swimming pool. The park’s fishing holes, picnic shelters, bird-watching opportunities, and beautiful California Road Nature Trail are other highlights. Be sure to exercise caution on the slippery canyon rim trails.

The adventure park contains 30 tent campsites with full amenities as well as 30 campsites without fire rings.

Rocks at Black Mesa State Park. — Travel Oklahoma

6. Black Mesa State Park

If you love stargazing, Black Mesa State Park is the Oklahoma campsite for you. The park not only provides beautiful picnic grounds and RV and tent campsites, but it also offers some of the darkest skies in the country for stargazing.

Black Mesa is located near the Oklahoma-Colorado-New Mexico border in the state panhandle, just outside Kenton, Oklahoma. During your time there, you can hike through the black lava rocks coating the mesa to Oklahoma’s highest point, nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. While hiking or picnicking on the grounds, you’ll discover rare plants and animals, and you can enjoy trout fishing on Lake Carl Etling.

Black Mesa State Park offers RV sites with full hookups, tent campsites with water and electric, and bunkhouses for larger groups.

7. Robbers Cave State Park

Robbers Cave State Park in southeastern Oklahoma near the Sans Bois Mountains is the campsite of choice for history lovers, rappellers, and equestrians alike. The infamous outlaws Jesse James and Belle Starr once hid from the law in one of the caves nestled into the park’s sandstone cliffs.

Robbers Cave features miles of hiking and horseback-riding trails as well as rugged cliffs suitable for climbing. Visitors can fish or swim in Lake Carlton or Lake Wayne Wallace or explore the park’s 250 acres of ATV trails. The state park is also home to an amphitheater, group picnic shelters, and two indoor community rooms for large gatherings, and the seasonal swimming pool, mini-golf course, rental bikes, and paddleboats add to the fun. The area also offers some incredible foliage during the autumn months.

Robbers Cave’s accommodations include RV sites with full hookups and an equestrian campground for horse trailers with corrals and holding pens. If you’re interested in something a little less traditional, you could rent a rustic yurt. A lodge, several cabins, and bunkhouses are also available.

Scenery at Lake Eufaula State Park. — Travel Oklahoma

8. Lake Eufaula State Park

Lake Eufaula State Park near Checotah, Oklahoma — about 2 hours from Oklahoma City — is the perfect campground for mountain bikers. The park offers a plethora of mountain bike trails, beautiful foliage, and plenty of wildlife-viewing opportunities.

There’s also a 102,000-acre reservoir perfect for activities on land or water. Hiking, biking, and equestrian trails — bring your horse or book a ride — make up much of the property, while Lake Eufaula, a popular boating, fishing, and swimming spot, makes up the rest. The younger members of your party will love the 18-hole disc golf course, the playground, and the fishing pond.

If you happen to have your own plane, you can fly into the park using the landing strip there.

The campgrounds include full RV hookup sites, partial RV hookup sites, and nearly 100 tent campsites. There are also three yurts available.

9. Natural Falls State Park

Near the Oklahoma-Arkansas border in the scenic Ozark Highlands region of northeastern Oklahoma, you’ll find a 77-foot waterfall cascading through the rock formations of Natural Falls State Park. At the bottom of the falls lies a serene pool in a V-shaped valley, complete with an observation deck and vantage points with seating.

The state park also offers picnic grounds with grills, wildlife-viewing opportunities, hiking, fishing, disc golf, horseshoes, and a basketball court to keep everyone outdoors and active.

Camping options include five yurts, RV sites with full hookups, and multiple tent sites.

Ready for more Oklahoma adventures? Explore the Oklahoma City Underground or take a Historic Route 66 road trip through the state.

Exploring Auckland’s Best Hidden Gems

Auckland doesn’t often rank as one of the world’s top cities to visit. But it seems like the spotlight is shifting to highlight multicultural, creative, and naturally stunning cities like Auckland. For decades, New Zealand has been on travelers’ hit lists for adventure, wine, and culinary tourism, plus surfing, road trips, and more. Auckland is the perfect stop on any of these itineraries as it encompasses all the factors that make New Zealand so spectacular. Auckland also happens to be the largest Polynesian city in the world and is home to a flourishing Asian population that has made its mark on Auckland cuisine.

Auckland is much more than just the city proper. The greater Auckland region includes the surrounding towns and landscapes as well. Cruise the many islands that dot the harbor and beyond, visit the nearby black sand beaches, or venture off the beaten path to experience rainforests, parks, volcanoes, and thermal springs.

Here are some of the best hidden gems in Auckland, New Zealand.

Aerial view of Browns Island in New Zealand. — NewZealand.com

Step Onto An Island Within An Island

Auckland’s harbor is a frenzy of activity. But amid the criss-crossing boats is a small, green respite. In fact, it’s so small that you might miss it from the shore. Browns Island, also known as Motukorea in Maori, is one of the last remaining reminders of the area’s eruptive past — literally — as it is one of the Auckland volcanic field’s most well-preserved volcanoes.

Once upon a time the island was alive with civilization. In fact, it’s entirely possible to take a glimpse into its past lives thanks to Maori artifacts. Today, it’s not much more than an escape from Auckland’s urban environment. But it is beautiful. Keep in mind that regular boats don’t stop here, but if you’re willing to visit by private sailboat, kayak, or seaplane, you’ll have a private playground for the day.

Travelers interested in kayaking out to the island can opt for a half-day tour offered by Auckland Sea Kayaks. The tour involves a trek to the summit of the volcano, visits to Maori village sites, light refreshments, and more. The tour involves approximately one hour each way of sea kayaking. Prices run around $100 per person and include refreshments.

Dominion Road in Auckland, New Zealand. — GreaterAuckland.org

Enjoy Chinatown

While Auckland’s official Chinatown is situated in the city’s eastern suburbs, locals often turn to what they consider to be the “real” Chinatown when they’re itching for the best Chinese eats. Dominion Road is a long street just outside Auckland’s central business district, or CBD, that is heralded in local circles as the city’s more authentic Chinatown. From Taiwanese noodle joints to Sichuan spicy cuisine, dumplings, hot pot, bubble tea, and more, Dominion Road has everything to satisfy a craving for Asian cuisine.

Tourists may overlook Dominion Road because it’s not as shiny or polished as Auckland’s other Chinatown, but every Friday and Saturday night you can be sure to see Auckland locals flooding the sidewalks for tasty, cheap meals. Get your noodle fix at Yong’s Hand Pulled Noodle House, which boasts signature bowls of hand-pulled beef noodles. For hot pot, Hot and Spicy Pot is a fan favorite.

Get Some Liquid TLC

You will not have a problem finding a place to eat or drink in Auckland. But for a hidden gem of a cocktail bar, locals flock to Caretaker for a dose of liquid TLC. This New York-style cocktail lounge sits tucked amid some of the city’s most popular spots in the Britomart neighborhood. It’s easy to miss it if you’re not paying attention. Heading down the stairs to Caretaker feels like stepping back in time to an after-hours speakeasy situation.

Drink options change on a daily basis, but bartenders are more than equipped to whip up any cocktail you fancy. Everything about this bar concept is custom, from the design to the cocktail creations themselves. Hand-carved ice, seasonal produce, and fresh juice round out the ingredients leveraged to make Caretaker’s delicious beverages. The decor is all about fostering an intimate mood, with small tables, leather seats, distressed mirrors, and dark woods.

Flowers in Auckland's Eden Garden. — Eden Garden

Get Lost In Eden

Take a break from the pulse of the city by venturing into your own little Eden Garden. This 5.5-acre garden tucked on the side of Auckland’s Mount Eden is the perfect respite from the city. Visitors can peruse perennials, bromeliads, and native New Zealand plants. The garden was built in an old quarry in the center of the city and has been flourishing for more than 50 years. It’s a wonderful excuse to slip away for an hour (or an afternoon) of roaming amongst the trees, plants, and flowers, and grounding yourself in the delicate splendor of the island. Mount Eden is Auckland’s highest volcanic cone, and from its peak visitors can enjoy views of both the city’s harbors. It used to be possible to drive right to the summit, but today visitors can only summit on foot. There are six different paths, each varying in difficulty, though none should take more than about 10 minutes.

Mellow Out With Some Cake

As the name suggests, Mellow Coffee and Desserts is just that. With cute decor and a friendly staff, this coffee and cake house is considered an absolute must among locals. There is also free Wi-Fi, and you can even grab a blanket to keep you warm. The Asian cheesecakes are delicious and patrons seem to be particularly partial to the Oreo cheesecake.

Beyond coffees and cakes, Mellow also serves massive breakfasts with omelets and pancakes as well as hearty lunches and dinners. Also popular is the mango shaved ice, taro lattes, and the many rolled ice cream options. The shop is open until 10 p.m. every day, making it perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or an after-dinner wind down.

Rummage Through The Past

Whether you consider them secondhand or vintage, it can’t be denied that the goods at Junk and Disorderly are one-of-a-kind treasures. This is one of the largest secondhand stores on Auckland’s North Shore, but has still remained relatively off the radar. The shop first opened in the early ’90s and is a treasure trove of all things offbeat, from hanging potted plants to toys, mismatched furniture, and assorted bric-a-brac. The inventory here is constantly changing, so if you find something that might make a great memento, don’t assume you have a few days to think on it. Better nab it while you have the chance!

Slurp The World’s Most Flavorful Oysters

Oyster lovers know where to slurp the best of the best. But did you know that some of the best bivalves in the sea are found off the coast of Bluff, New Zealand? Served on their own or with a splash of lemon, Bluff oysters are delectable, briny, and succulent — if you can manage to get your hands on any at all. The season is short — from March to August — but this delicacy is absolutely worth seeking out. There’s an annual oyster festival held in Bluff each winter that advertises itself as proudly unsophisticated. Auckland locals hop a short Air New Zealand flight to gorge themselves on oysters and white wine before returning back to the city, but you can enjoy Bluff oysters at the upscale Oyster and Chop while playing tourist in Auckland.

Muriwai Beach in Auckland, New Zealand. — Bob Hilscher / Shutterstock

Hit The Beach

In addition to its mountains, lakes, and rivers, New Zealand is known for its beaches. But one of the best hidden gems in the Auckland area is Muriwai Beach. Along the same coast as Piha, which is the most famous surf beach in Auckland, Muriwai is much smaller and lesser known, and is popular among local surfers. The black sand beach is stunningly beautiful, and depending on when you visit, you may feel like you have it all to yourself. A small surf club on the beach offers lessons for the more adventurous, while a cafe provides tasty snacks. It’s also a beautiful, calm walking beach for taking in the long summer sun.

This is one of the best spots for catching a glimpse of Australasian gannets in the Takapu Refuge. The birds gather to breed at this spot on the coast. There are a few walking trails that wind through native flora and lead to a lookout that has views of the beach. The beach is just 35 minutes from the city center.

Tawharanui Regional Park in New Zealand. — cloud9works / Shutterstock

Step Into Nature At Tawharanui Regional Park

One of New Zealand’s biggest draws is its sheer natural beauty. Why not treat yourself to a day trip to one of the best off-the-beaten-path spots in nature? Tawharanui Regional Park is one of Auckland’s best kept secrets. It’s on the northern coast, which means it’s great for swimming and surfing. Above the beach, pohutukawa trees create the perfect shade for a picnic. There are walking trails, great bird watching opportunities, and miles of green forest. A slightly more strenuous hike in the park rewards visitors with panoramic views of the entire peninsula. Get ready to explore miles of beaches, dunes, caves, and rock pools. There are four white sandy beaches, the main one being Anchor Bay, which is lined with white sand. The park is 80 minutes north of Auckland and provides the natural escape so many visitors come to New Zealand seeking.

Planning your first visit? Here’s how to get around Auckland, New Zealand — no rental car required.

How To Visit Hirta, The Remote Scottish Ghost Island

Scotland is a land filled with legendary heroes. Think William Wallace, also known as Braveheart, and Rob Roy MacGregor, an outlaw of the Jacobite Rising. Scotland is also defined by its wildlands of rugged terrain and the drystane dykes that dot the countryside with ancient memories. Of course, there are some parts of the country that are surrounded with less charming lore, places like Hirta, an island in the St Kilda archipelago — the westernmost group of islands of the Outer Hebrides. About 41 miles from its nearest neighbor, this haunted island lies empty today.

The remote island of Hirta in Scotland. — Martin Payne / Shutterstock

Welcome To The Island On The Edge Of The World

Hirta has 9.3 miles of coastline and is less than 2.5 square miles in land size but is the largest of the St Kilda islands. Because of the island’s distant location, it’s known as the island on the edge of the world.

And while you might not think of Scotland as a land of extremes, the Outer Hebrides will prove you wrong. The islands are far off the mainland and have harsh winters defined by wild winds. During the 1800s, when the Scottish Potato Famine devastated many families on the islands of Scotland, several Hirta families left their homeland for Australia.

An abandoned house on Hirta. — Martin Payne / Shutterstock

What Happened On Hirta?

Between 1850 and 1930, the island’s population continued shrinking due to events that left the remaining islanders petitioning the Scottish government for help leaving the beautiful but unforgiving land. In 1914, an outbreak of influenza came from more contact with outsiders bringing in the disease. Infant mortality rates soared. In the 1920s, visiting medical staff — specifically a nurse named Williamina Barclay — tried to convince residents to leave for locations where medical care was more available.

During World War I, the British Navy set up a base on the island, which brought with it some conveniences, such as mail delivery, but also more awareness of how the rest of the world lived. Discontent rose among the population, and by 1930 the people still on Hirta wanted freedom from the constant challenges they faced simply to survive. That summer, the remaining 36 residents were evacuated on the HMS Harebell.

Abandoned houses and wild sheep on Hirta. — Martin Payne / Shutterstock

How To Visit, And Who Lives On The Island Today

Today, there are still no permanent residents on this intriguing ghost island, though a military defense base is manned there year-round. Hirta has been named a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site — for both cultural and ecological reasons — thanks to the history of human life there and the globally significant colonies of more than 100,000 seabirds, including gannets and puffins.

The island is also still home to a hardy breed of primitive sheep. The Soay sheep are mainly used for meat and wool production in other locations around the world, but the wild sheep on Hirta are considered to be an at-risk breed. The Soay Sheep Project has been in place since the mid-1950s and monitors the sheep population on Hirta and the surrounding islands.

The remote cliffs of Hirta. — corlaffra / Shutterstock

If you want to brave the wilds of the sea and the unique climate and terrain of this strange and beautiful island, you can take a boat from Oban on the mainland, Uig on the Isle of Skye, or Leverburgh and Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. Or book a tour.

The availability of these boats will depend heavily on the weather. Be sure to take warmer clothing — even in the summer — as the winds and air temperature tend to be chilly, especially on the water. And you’ll also want to wear a hat to protect against any nesting birds that might feel threatened by your presence.

An abandoned hut on Hirta. — Navin Mistry / Shutterstock

Want more on the St Kilda islands? Island of Wings is a haunting historical novel that follows “two people struggling to keep their love, and their family, alive in a place of extreme hardship and unearthly beauty.”

Also, learn how to spend a night in this once-abandoned Scottish village for an even more impactful Hebrides experience.