Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!
In all the years I lived in MA, never have I been to the cute little seacoast city of Newburyport. So over our staycation this past week, we decided to head to this scenic and historic MA destination. I always like relaxing quick day trips while exploring my state at the same time. I’m a big fan of quaint, tiny but historical towns and cities with many choices to eat, shop, relax and enjoy.
If you decide to head to Newburyport, on the way, you must stop at Colby Farms https://www.colbyfarms.com/ in Newbury MA, just the next town over. Not only do they sell fresh fruits & vegetables along with pork & beef products, they also have the most beautiful sunflower fields for you to walk around and take those IG worthy pics in. Considering that this is one of my favorite flowers, I was in heaven walking among the beautiful fields. The sunflowers are in bloom only for two weeks at the farm so make sure you check on their website/FB page for updates to when it is open. The best time to go is during the week because the weekends are crazy busy (I learned this from several reviews). We went on a Friday morning which wasn’t bad as far as how crowded it was. With their produce and meat stand, tractors and other machinery to take pics on and several fields to roam around, there is enough room for everyone. They have their own separate field for parking and it was only $10 a car. Not bad at all. For the gorgeous scenery and atmosphere, it was definitely worth the ‘detour’.
Within a short 12 minute drive from Colby Farms, my hubby and I arrived in downtown Newburyport https://www.newburyport.com/. We found parking quite easily actually in a paid parking lot right on the water’s edge called the Waterfront Trust Parking Lot for $1 an hour. You can’t beat that price! Right in the middle of downtown where shops, restaurants and entertainment are all at your fingertips.
After a couple of hours walking around the square, take advantage of the coastal view on the many benches offered for your leisure, right in front of the parking lot. There was even someone playing the keyboard to add to the relaxing ambience.
We decided to make a reservation at Sea Level Oyster Bar, http://sealevelnewburyport.com/ offering front and back patio dining as well as indoor seating. I would assume in the warmer weather, a reservation would be needed even in Covid times. It was 80 degrees out so we opted to sit indoors next to an open patio server entrance to take in some fresh air. We ordered 2 dz oysters for appetizers. I mean, how could we not? We were at an oyster bar. My husband also had a clam chowder which I also tried and I must say, it was pretty damn good. For our main lunch, we both ordered salads. I know, we’re so boring but we didn’t want to fill up too much on lunch. I had mine with blackened salmon and my husband had his with blackened chicken. Both salads were filling and delicious. Since we did so well with our lunch meal, we decided to splurge (and cheat!) a little on dessert. Cue in the sweet special of the day: Banana Cream Pie with whip cream and a drizzle of caramel. Oh. My. Goodness. That was pretty damn yummy! I would def recommend this place for tasty meals, the sweetest treats, some good libations & a comfy casual atmosphere!
Wanting to walk around Market Square District and window shoppe after eating, there were several fun little stores I wanted to go in, like https://www.merakiwelivelikethis.com/. Funky, eclectic, one of a kind pieces of clothing, jewelry and shoes….this store was right up my alley. I bought a pastel tied dye tank and lightweight 3/4 quarter length sweater for around $70. Not too bad for boutique quality. There were some fall jackets I really liked but those were a little too pricey for me. It’s always a hit or miss when it comes to local boutique clothing stores. I most likely look at the sale rack (which my sweater was on) and I lucked out this time. I did come across some clothing from a company I adore called https://spiritualgangster.com/. Tie dye, inspo clothing and all about peace, love and fashion. Either way, I still think it’s a fun place to check out. Another cute shop worth visiting that specializes in handmade bags is Vaalbara, https://vaalbara.com/ on the corner of Water Street and Market Square. An array of products for the home and body from candles to home decor to clothes to accessories, it’s def worth taking a walk around the store.
Before heading to Newburyport, I looked up ‘attractions’ and there was a lot of mention about The Pink House https://www.supportthepinkhouse.com/, in abutting town, Newbury MA. It was literally a pale, pink, abandoned house in the middle of a salt marsh off the Plum Island Turnpike, next to an airport for private small planes.
The story behind this desolate home about a spiteful divorced couple from 1925, and its exterior portraying a sad & spooky, but serene look to it, intrigued me that much more and I knew I had to see it for myself. There have been a lot of back and forth as to what the town’s plans are to do with this house, but for now, as it sits in wallow despair and loneliness, its a local attraction for any newcomer to the area. Worth the drive by to witness its eeriness from the main road since there is so much talk about it. The property belongs to the federal gov’t, so trespassing is forbidden. Just take note of that if you want to quickly snap a shot.
At this point, it was around 5ish and my husband and I wanted to end our lil day trip with a pretty beach sunset. This was the first time going to the beach this summer due to Covid, so we wanted to make it a memorable one. We headed to Plum Island, https://www.newburyport.com/plum-island-beach/ parked in their adjacent lot, which was $15 per car…a little steep if you ask me considering it was end of the summer and not during peak hours. We paid anyway, well because, we wanted to have some relaxation after a busy, but fun day. Literally right across the street from the main parking lot of the beach is Plum Street Provisions, which we stopped in for some snacks and drinks. Always nice to have something at your fingertips especially since the beach’s snack bar was closed due to Covid.
We set up our blankets and chairs while we awaited the sunset for two hours. 
Plum Island is a very clean beach with sand bars during low tide that you can walk on and take in the gorgeous view. The water was a little cold at first but then was warm after a few minutes of being in it. There were porta potties right at the entrance which was not a long walk from the beach. A long wooden boardwalk that led to a picturesque gazebo overlooking the water sets the tone for that extra romantic pic.
My hubby and I enjoyed the sunset and the beautiful views all while laughing, joking and talking about our day’s adventure.
This was the perfect ending to an amazing day and an awesome way to start our staycation.
Thank you for checking this post out! I hope you found it helpful and enjoyable!
Until the next trip with us on Trippin’ It With the Vegas’!!
Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!
For the love of B-R-O-O-K-L-Y-N❤️
New York, especially Brooklyn, will always have a piece of my heart. Plus, it’s where my hubby is from, so it is extra special to me. I lived in Brooklyn, in Williamsburg to be exact, for about two years and I absolutely loved it. You get city living with that suburban feel….IMO, the best of both worlds. And since moving up to MA ten years ago, any chance we get to go back, we jump on it. Every time I go back to Williamsburg, I fall more and more in love with it. I always tell my hubby that I am not done with NY especially in the 11211 area code. Who knows? Maybe in the near future, we will move back there. We will see. But for now, a quick little 4 hr. getaway is what I will take.
This past July, since our vacation plans were put on the cancellation list due to CV-19, we decided to take a trip to the good ole south side of Brooklyn to enjoy some time with the fam. If you are in the WillyB area, Domino Park is a MUST go-to https://www.dominopark.com/
. Reconstructed and redone from the Domino Sugar Factory, you get breathtaking views of NYC overlooking the East River. In the distance, you can see the Statue of Liberty.
The perfect spot to chill with friends on the makeshift grass or on one of the many lounge chairs they provide; take a stroll around the whole park, or just sit on a variety of benches and enjoy the gorgeous view. They have a food stand within the park called Tacocina, https://www.heytacocina.com/ , if you get hungry. Serving up, you guessed it, tacos, beer and cocktails on the go. That’s always one option for food. Or you can bring your own from any of the surrounding restaurants.
Have a sweet tooth while enjoying the park? Grab an ice cream at the ice cream truck right outside the park’s perimeter. Overpriced, but that’s an option as well.
At Domino Park, you get the view, the laidback atmosphere, the chill ambiance, the relaxation, the serenity, and the fun all at your fingertips. An unforgettable experience. Side note: During this (CV-19) time, they had checkpoints to enter and exit the park with security, checking bags. Not sure how strict they are with what you bring into the park especially in the present times we are living in, but be weary about that.
Need some W & S? What I call walking and shopping. Then literally take a walk down Bedford Avenue from the north/south side (you can legit walk from one side to the other) and I guarantee you, you will find something to fit your fancy. Many options from cute boutiques to fun and quirky shops that will have you wanting to buy something. If you are on the north side, check out Pema on North 7th & Bedford https://pemany.com/. A little bit of everything from clothing to shoes, to accessories.
In the mood to venture off the main road and wanting to find more of a variety of fun clothing for the curvier girl? Check out Plus BKLYN https://plusbklyn.com/ on Metropolitan Ave. Vintagey & thrifty, you can find something to add to your closet. An added plus to this store, is that you can actually sell your clothes to them and get money. A beneficial way to swap and make money with reusable fashion. A win win in my book!
Need a coffee break & maybe a little sumthin’ sweet from all that walking? Then you NEED to go to Martha’s Country Kitchen https://marthascountrybakery.com/location/williamsburg/. OH-MY-GOD, we were staying on the south side and we walked down to North 1st and Bedford every night to get an iced latte and a lil sweet treat. You wanna talk about a dessert lover’s dream…you get anything in here from pies, to cookies, to cakes, to gelato, to actually anything you can think of that is SWEET. The ultimate bakery that will not disappoint. For reals tho. And their portions are just as big as their selection.
Hungry for food food? Check out Patrizia’s (35 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn) https://www.patrizias.com/location/patrizias-williamsburg/. You will not be disappointed! Serving up homemade Italian dishes just the way Grandma Maria used to make them. I have been there several times and I always leave full and happy. That says a lot since I come from an Italian family who owns Italian restaurants and people like that are usually biased. I’ve had their appetizers like the Burrata & Fried Calamari, to their pasta dishes like Fettuccine Carbonara to their Linguine with White Clam Sauce, to their Chicken Pecora and Lamb Chops Special over Broccoli Rabe.
Their portions are just as generous as the staff so you will most likely be taking a doggy bag home. But definitely leave room for their delicious dessert like their homemade Tiramisu and Cannolis. Those cannolis are pretty damn good. They have a praline crunch to them that makes you wanting more than just a single bite. Accompany either of those with a cappuccino or espresso, and you are in heaven.
I have never had any of their brick oven pizzas (yet), but I heard they are just as delicious as their dishes, so def worth a try.
They offer indoor as well as outdoor (weather permitting) dining as well. We have been inside to eat and it reminds me as if I was sitting at my grandma’s table with my whole family for Sunday dinner….loud, busy, and packed, but in a familiar and endearing familial way. It made me feel like I was right at home. And I loved that. Eating outside is just as nice, sipping on a glass of wine, people watching while we ate our food.
They are open from Tuesday-Sunday, CLOSED on MONDAYS, so take note.
If you want a more romantic ambiance with great cocktails and food, check out Aurora on Grand St. https://aurorabk.com/. 
My husband actually took me here for my birthday and I fell in love with the scenery as soon as we got there. An open patio (the only available seating because of Covid times) covered in bright green ivy, made it feel like you were stepping foot into the forbidden secret garden. It was so cute and sexy all at the same time.
The scenery was perfect for my birthday dinner. And even though it was bustling in there, we were sat at a table close to the back of the patio and semi private which made it feel like it was just me and my hubby in the room with little background noise.
We started off with some drinks, (I mean it was my birthday, how could I not have a glass of wine or a Basil Hayden on the rox) and some delectable appetizers like the Prosciutto di Parma plate served with creamy Burrata and Charred Octopus, which was cooked to perfection. I had the Branzino, which was served with artichokes and fennel pureé. My husband had the Skirt Steak served with crispy potatoes and broccoli rabe. We licked our plates clean, needless to say, so definitely a 5 star restaurant in our book. And even though we were stuffed to the gills, we enjoyed the atmosphere while sipping on our frothy cappuccinos and nibbling on our Peaches Amaretto Tart that they stuck a candle in for me. A really nice touch since we were celebrating. The waiter was very friendly and hospitable and made my night at Aurora a pleasurable one. Definitely need to go back to this little hidden gem when we visit BK again.
Feeling adventurous and have some time? Take a walk from Williamsburg to the Lower East Side (Delancey St.) in Manhattan via the Williamsburg Bridge (enter through Berry Street b/w S 5th and S 6th Sts.) Even though I have lived in NYC for five years, with two years residing in Williamsburg, I’ve never walked the bridge until this past July. And we only walked half of it because it was 90+ degrees out and we were H O T. I would love to try it again, maybe on a cooler day.
Taking a nice stroll over it is really pretty with views of the city and the East River. Plus you get tons of exercise within an hour span. You can’t go wrong with that! Views, exercise, and peace sounds like a win-win situation to me!
Lots of people walking and biking to and from the city this way due to the beauty around them. Walking the Williamsburg Bridge is like ‘An oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city.’ Perfect way to describe it! Exactly, how I felt when I walked it even after half the distance. I would suggest you put on your walking shoes and take the trek to the city this way!
All in all, I love NYC and Brooklyn. What can I say? I’m a city girl at heart and this city will always have a piece of mine.
Thank you for checking this post out! I hope you found it helpful and enjoyable!
Until the next trip with us on Trippin’ It With the Vegas’!!
Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!
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Since CV19 hit the US hard in the last couple of months….all of the trips we had planned this year (and there were several) were cancelled. But, my husband and I always make the best of any situation and on Sundays, when we both have off from work, we take mini day trips to surrounding areas, just to ‘get away’. A few weeks ago, we decided to go to Portsmouth, NH’s downtown area for some outdoor dining on the water. We have been to PM before, but not for the outdoor dining experience. And since NH was one of the states around us that opened up first during CV19 times for outdoor dining ONLY, we said hell, let’s give it a try. It only took an hour from us which the drive is actually very nice and a straight shot on I95. Super easy and convenient and not a ton of traffic which was a total bonus.
PM is a cute little quaint city that has a lot to offer. The heart of downtown or the ‘Square’ (what I like to call it…..actual name is Market Square), has tons of boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and unique stores, all with that seacoast-y vibe https://www.goportsmouthnh.com/ . I love little hidden gem cities like this because you literally can shop, eat, & relax within a couple of blocks radius. Win win if you ask me. 
Earlier in the week, I made reservations at Martingale Wharf https://www.martingalewharf.com/ for dinner on their spacious patio deck. Reservations are a requirement ATM due to limited seating, but the view and the ambience is so worth the experience. You literally are sitting on the water, so it does get a little chilly there especially in the shade, but they do offer tables with a fire pit so that’s a very cool feature. The oysters and lobster salad are a MUST here. Reasonably priced, great atmosphere, romantic ambience and top notch hospitality. I give it five stars all around.
For a more lax atmosphere and for delicious comfort food & handcrafted local beer, check out NH’s original brewpub, The Portsmouth Brewery https://portsmouthbrewery.com/. 
Very pub like feel to it, but very friendly and welcoming. What I liked about this restaurant is that they offer gluten free and vegan friendly dishes. Try their Falafel Burger with a Guest Beer. Magnificent! For great pizza, live music, and awesome nightlife, check out The Portsmouth Gas Light https://www.portsmouthgaslight.com/. These two PM staple places are no joke side by side neighbors. You can’t miss them, nor, do you want to. 
Need a boost of caffeine after eating all that yummy food? Check out Tuscan Market http://www.tuscanbrands.com/Market/Portsmouth/ for a frothy cappuccino, flavorful gelatos, and authentic Italian pastries and treats. This bakery is literally right in the middle of the square with lots of cafè tables for your use. Sitting at a table, taking in the organized chaos with the hustle and bustle of the streets, all while sipping on that satisfying lattè, one could daydream of being in a European city. I felt like I was sitting in a piazza in Italy. Just amazing & my cappuccino was so good!
Another known coffee joint to check out with a casual feel to it, away from the craziness of the square, is Cup of Joe https://www.cupofjoenh.com/. 
An architectural’s dream coffee shop….very cute but with that rustic vibe inside, they offer anything from Cold Brews to Panini, to Desserts, to Espresso. The baristas are extremely friendly too!
If you are in the mood for some homemade ice cream and/or fudge, you need to visit Kilwin’s https://www.kilwins.com/. Oh My God…..I have entered into SWEETS HEAVEN…..literally. Offering anything from candied apples to chocolate dipped pretzels & nuts, to various homemade fudge and cold treats, this place is the mecca of Chocolate Connoisseurs. In business since the 1940’s, the Kilwin family knows ‘Sweet in Every Sense’. If you like your sweets like me, you have to check this place out. Added plus, they had a no sugar added ice cream that I could enjoy since I am on Keto, so kudos to them for that.
And finally, with all this food talk, what about the shopping you ask? One shop you have to go into for their cute little knick knacks coveting blunt but tasteful (& obscene, but who doesn’t say the ‘F’ word know a days) humor, is Off Piste right on Congress Street near the ‘Square’ https://www.facebook.com/Off-Piste-233938993466386/ . I knew I had to go into this store when I saw the sign on their door that read “Come In, We’re Awesome”….and they are. You can most likely come out buying something from this cute little gift shop. 
PM has a lot of boutiquey shops and one worth visiting is Pretty Little Things http://www.prettylittlethingsnh.com/. Their clothes are adorbs and very trendy for that fashionista in mind. Oh you know I had to go inside this one lol. From cute dresses, to rompers to jeans to stylish tees to accessories, they offer a wide selection to brighten up your closet. Definitely worth a check out.
And after all your walking around you can enjoy Prescott Park https://www.prescottpark.org/, to take in views of the water and numerous boats and to ease your mind of the busy day you had taking in all of downtown PM’s offerings. A perfect ending to a perfect day IMO. 
Side note: Parking is available street side (metered) or off of the main strip there is a parking lot for dirt cheap. I think we spent $5 dollars for a five hour window. 
Hope you enjoyed what I shared with you for our mini day trip series! Until the next trippin’ with us!!
U P D A T E
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Jetblue ended up cancelling our flights to Aruba next week. Aruba closed it’s borders and they couldn’t guarantee a flight home for our group, so they just ended up cancelling all together. So, the decision was made for us. Of course, the year I have all these trips planned, is the year that there is limited travel. Agggghhhhhhhhh!!! Ok rant done. Until the next trip with Trippin’ It with the Vegas’!!
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As we approach Spring Break in the next week or so and lots of people trying to get their travel on, you can’t help but be concerned and worried with everything that has come to fruition about the coronavirus. As of March 11th, the WHO has declared this a pandemic, which is pretty effing scary. It doesn’t help that everywhere you look on the Internet, T.V., phone etc. is talking about this virus too. Is this a mass hysteria or actually rules for concern? A lot of people, especially ones who live in colder climates, book a trip this month to get away from the cold, like to the Caribbean, FL, or any other warm escape for that matter. They book way in advance with something to look forward to, only to be told now that they shouldn’t go. What do you do? Do you cancel your plans to go away or do you continue to live your life and go on your trip anyway? I have a girls trip planned in two weeks that we booked in September ’19 and I am tackling this question.
I reached out to my friend who is an ER nurse and she shed some light on traveling in this day in age with this rapid sickness going around. She advised me to bring in my carry-on the following… wipes, hand sanitizer, gloves and masks. Her advice was as follows (along with being cautious and aware of my surroundings): have the gloves on as soon as I get to the airport and change them frequently. When I get to my seat, wipe the sh*t out of my tray, armrests, and the seat itself, THOROUGHLY. She also told me to turn the air on but not directly on me, because the air on a plane is ‘circulated through hospital-grade HEPA filters which remove 99.97% bacteria as well as the airborne particles that viruses use for transport’. She also mentioned when going to the bathroom, wipe EVERYTHING down, before touching , sitting, turning on etc. and stated that before flushing, close the toilet lid too. As for the masks, she mentioned, those aren’t really a deter in preventing getting sick. The only pro about the masks is that it will prevent you from touching your face which, just like the common cold or flu, can be contracted human to human, by touching your nose, mouth, ears etc.
So, the big question lies. If your airline hasn’t canceled your flight and is still a go, what do you do? It really comes down to you and how you feel about the whole situation. Use your discretion. If you feel comfortable with doing all these things above, then generally speaking, you should be fine. But if you are having a panic attack over it, postpone your trip to a later date when you are more at ease.
Do you have a trip coming up? What are your plans? Would love to hear some feedback from you with your thoughts, concerns, and comments regarding this! Please let me know🤔
To be continued…….
Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!
Our quick lil getaway….
To celebrate VDay 2020 with our annual staycation trip, my husband and I ventured our way out west to North Adams, MA. I had to write about this cute little town since it is rich in history and art definitely worth mentioning. Who knew about this place? We sure the hell didn’t. We have heard of western MA and the Berkshires but to us a 2 and 1/2 hour drive (literally an hour away from Albany) in our very own state, never seemed like a feasible option for us for a lil getaway. Until this weekend to go visit a few well-known museums in the area. And I am so glad we did. We left our house Sunday, Feb 16th at around 11am. We arrived in the Berkshire County at around 1:30pm. First off, let me tell you about the ride. We literally felt like we were driving into no man’s land. What can I say? We are city people so this was new grounds for us. We drove thru Shelburne Falls, Lancaster, Otis, Lanesborough, Orange, and Florida. I was born and raised in good ole’ Massachusetts and have never even heard of these towns. FYI, your WiFi will not work on some of these roads. I mean you are in the middle of nowhere LOL.
Very pretty scenic views especially because we were driving mountainside thru parts of the Mohawk Trail. We drove up the mountain, reached the summit (which was exhilarating in itself) and drove all the way back down. I guess this was the only route to enter into North Adams. At least by GPS. Pretty cool but a little scary I must say. Thank god we had good weather and and it wasn’t raining or snowing, otherwise I probably would have pulled all my hair out from anxiety. Just sayin’. There was this hairpin turn that, if going fast (which you obv shouldn’t be) you would have gone off the mountain. Literally, no joke. Anyway, we survived the twists and turns of the Mohawk Trail and reached our destination. We opted to do some sightseeing and get to know our surroundings before checking into our hotel so we didn’t waste any time. Enter the Mass MoCA Museum aka Mass Museum of Contemporary Art http://www.massmoca.org. Oh…. My….. God.
An old converted industrial factory building turned eccentric and modern museum situated on the Hoosic River; it is ‘one of the largest centers for contemporary visual art and performing arts in the United States’ according to Wikipedia. One of my favorite museums in Boston is the ICA and this museum was like ten times that. We were in our glory….ok ok…. I actually was in my glory but I think my husband enjoyed it too. We knew just by looking at this place, we were going to be here for several hours. So we opted to get a two day pass for the price of $34 dollars p/p. This pass included the MoCA as well as the Norman Rockwell Museum, about 45 min. from where we were. We decided to go with this option so we could enjoy both museums without any time restraints. I can’t even tell you how in awe I was with the MoCA. The exhibits were trendy, bright, bold, colorful, and strange all in one. Some of the exhibits we enjoyed were Ad Minoliti with her Fantasía Modulares (https://massmoca.org/event/ad-minoliti-fantasias-modulares/),
Jenny Holzer with her Truisms posters (https://massmoca.org/event/jenny-holzer/), Ledelle Moe with her When (https://massmoca.org/event/ledelle-moe/), Joe Wardwell with his Hello America: 40 hits from the 50 States (https://massmoca.org/event/joe-wardwell-hello-america/), Gameliel Rodriguez with his La Travesía (https://massmoca.org/event/gamaliel-rodriguez/), Cauleen Smith with her We Already Have What We Need (https://massmoca.org/event/cauleen-smith/), Erre with his Them and Us/Ellos y Nosotros (https://massmoca.org/event/erre/), and my all time favorite exhibit, Spencer Finch with his Cosmic Latte (https://massmoca.org/event/spencer-finch-cosmic-latte/). Check out the slideshow below.
We saw A LOT. And there was so much more than what I listed. I called this place the never-ending museum because every which way you turn you entered a new room with a new exhibit. There is so much to see. One of my favorite things about this museum is that it showcases its old structure from its predecessor factory days with modern touches from present day. To enter different buildings, one could walk down low ceiling industrial pipe exposed narrow hallways or climb iron wrought sturdy concrete staircases. You knew you were in a museum but you felt like you were in an old factory. I absolutely loved that. Walking around observing all this amazing art, we got hungry and had lunch at the spacious Lickety Split Café, right off the museum’s lobby. I had the Cobb Salad and my husband had the Mediterranean Salad, with chicken on both. The price came to under$25; very reasonably priced, delicious, a generous portion and extremely satisfying. Upon driving to the museum’s parking lot, we did notice on their campus several retail stores as well as a BBQ place that seemed busy so I’m pretty sure the food is good there too. Also, free parking which is a total bonus. We got lucky because we found a spot quickly but there is additional parking across the street. Not sure if that is free as well though. Before leaving, we decided to shop at the museum store. I bought myself a Jenny Holzer shirt and my hubby got an Erre shirt. Each were $28…. to me, that is a fair price for a store within the museum. We left the MoCA right at closing time–5pm. We then made our way to our hotel, Holiday Inn Berkshires https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/north-adams/nadma/hoteldetail, which we noticed was only a block away.
The nightly rate we paid on Expedia was $149 not including taxes….a little pricey, but it was February school vacation in a ski town and you couldn’t beat the convenience. Also, I added breakfast to our stay for our check out day which was worth it IMO.
We made a reservation the day before at Grazie, for dinner, https://www.graziena.com/ a local restaurant featuring Italian classical dishes. It is best to make a reservation especially on the weekends because their hours are from 4pm-9pm. The best part was that Grazie was literally across the street from MoCA, a block away from our hotel, so we decided to walk there. Arriving about 25 minutes earlier than our reservation, we were able to sit down right away despite it being packed. This seemed like the best local gem for good eats and atmosphere in the area. We did good lol. We sat at a window seat in a little nook across from the bar. Very intimate, and perfect for our romantic VDay celebratory dinner. We were so excited that they had keto friendly food especially the cauliflower crust pizza (an app for us) which was DELICIOUS!! My husband and I both ordered steaks for our main meal with veggie sides accompanied with a Tito’s martini. The food was very satisfying with generous portions and the martini was made perfectly. They had an amazing dessert menu too and we decided to splurge a little since we were celebrating. We shared the créme brulée which was out of this world. I’ve had my share of créme brulée and this was not too sweet which was perfect for the both of us. Again, for what we enjoyed at dinner, the prices were very reasonable.
After dinner, we wanted to take a walk down their ‘Main Street’ to see if there was any cute little shops worth checking out the next day. Sadly, there isn’t much shopping. At least not on the main strip. The only thing there is, is several real estate offices, banks, several pizza shops an art gallery and an ‘all in one’ shop that sold anything from clothing to trinkets to books etc. We never made it there the next day although it looked interesting enough to check out. Right next to Grazie, is a bar called The Mohawk Tavern, that had pool tables that seemed like a fun hangout for the locals. Also, we heard that Jack’s Hot Dog Stand is a staple place to try at least once if you are visiting North Adams. We never made it there though because it was closed when we passed by. That was off the main strip. After walking around the neighborhood for about thirty minutes, we decided to walk back to our hotel and call it a night. It was a long day for us.
The next day, we woke up early, went downstairs to the restaurant in our hotel to get a quick bite to eat, check out and make our way over to Stockbridge, MA to the Norman Rockwell Museum https://www.nrm.org/.
We not only got to see Rockwell’s drawings, paintings and magazine covers but also got to see the outside of his last ‘but best’ studio which was originally located in the backyard of his home on South Street in Stockbridge and eventually transported to the museum grounds in 1986. Norman Rockwell was a great American artist especially for paintings like
‘The Golden Rule’……'”Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You”. ‘A simple but universal phrase that reflected Rockwell’s personal philosophy.’ The lower level of the museum showcased works from local junior and high school students as well as another room that displayed the famous Rockwell magazine covers. The ground level has a museum shop where you are able to purchase Rockwell’s prints in all forms from mugs to posters etc.
If you visit the museum, walk around back to see his last studio he worked in. The inside is open seasonally (warmer months) so we weren’t able to go in but the views are breathtaking. After walking around a bit on the museum grounds, we decided it was time to get on the road back home.
But first, Lee Premium Outlets here we come! After all this history and art we soaked in for two days, we wanted to do a little shopping so we headed over to the outlets in Lee, MA https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/lee. This was on our way home so it wasn’t like we were backtracking. They have stores like Nike, Coach, Guess, Skechers, Kate Spade, Levi’s, Nautica and Michael Kors etc. We shopped at Skechers and Eddie Bauer and then walked around a bit. It isn’t crazy big so you could walk around the whole complex without getting lost. They did have a food court but we opted to drive a little to get on the road since at this point it was 4pm and we still had like an hour and a half drive home. By this time, we were famished since we didn’t stop for lunch after the Rockwell Museum.
We drove to Main Street (every little town has a main street called Main Street, have you noticed lol) and went to get a bite to eat at the Salmon Run Fish House https://salmonrunfishhouse.com/. The food was enjoyable and the staff was friendly. We ordered steamed clams in a white wine sauce as an appetizer which were plentiful and both of us had salads with salmon on it for our main meal. Generous portions and reasonably priced; our salmon was at least 6-8 ounces–huge piece. We left there full and satisfied and then made our trek back home. If you only visited Stockbridge, MA, a historical hotel to stay in is the Red Lion Inn https://www.redlioninn.com/which we actually passed on our way to the outlets. Side note though, beware for the faint of heart because it is known that guests have had encounters with the paranormal here. I was totally fine with just seeing the inn from my car window lol.
All in all, we had an awesome little getaway in the Berkshires. We decided that we will head back in the warmer months where we could do a lot more things outside like the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls and actually se the inside of Rockwell’s studio. Ask me or comment on anything I mentioned on this trip. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have if planning a trip out to the Berkshires! Until the next trip with us!! Stay tuned!!
Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!
Oh C A N A D A…..Bonjour!
Summer ’19 in August, my husband and I had the pleasure of going to Montrèal, Canada. The last time I went to Montrèal I was 18 years old, so we are talking a loooonnnnnggggg time ago. And for him, the last time he stepped foot on Canadian soil was in 2007, so you can only imagine how excited we were to go back after so many years. Plus, we opted to do the whole touristy thang since our previous trips there were nothing but a young and dumb drunken blur. And I am so glad we did. We were able to take in and appreciate the beauty of the city and all that it had to offer. Side note though, when we went, there is A LOT, I mean A LOT, of construction going on. I guess all that means is that real estate is booming there so that’s a good thing, but just keep that in mind. I am used to the noise because of city living but beware of that when booking this trip. Albeit, it was still a great time in a great city with great views and beauty all around to enjoy.
The first full day we were there we went on a city tour…in my opinion, probably the best way to view the city. It isn’t crazy big so it could all be done in one day but this was probably the best thing we ever did. The tour line we used was http://www.grayline.com and the tour we took was the Montrèal City Tour. Make sure your tour guides are Richard and Rícard, yes they are both named Richard, but these were by far the most informative, funny, helpful tour guides I have ever come across. With them, to mention a few, we were able to see and learn about MontRoyal, Notre Dame Basilica
, Habitat 67, Old Port, McGill University, Olympic Stadium, and the Botanical Gardens. Some of these spots we were able to get off and take pictures, for instance at MontRoyal. The view is UNBELIEVABLE. Apparently, you can also walk up it but I don’t recommend that in the middle of 80 degree days in August lol. The best part of doing a tour on our first full day, was that if there was something we wanted to see in more depth and time, we could always go back. Which a few of these we did. Like the Notre Dame Basilica (https://www.basiliquenotredame.ca/en) and the Botanical Gardens (https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/botanical-garden). Both of these I think are worth spending several hours at. The inside of the basilica is breathtaking. I actually cried when walking through the doors. Definitely something you need to see for yourself. The Gardens were just as pretty. From plants to flowers, you see a lot in the gardens. You could literally get lost in there but I think it is all worth it.
For shopping, I would always suggest the Underground City/Mall (https://montrealundergroundcity.com/) or St. Catherine’s Street. These places have similar big retail stores like we have in the states like H&M and Forever 21. I personally like finding one of a kind pieces in boutiquey/vintagey stores and my all time favorite shopping place for that would be St.Laurent Street aka St Lawrence Blvd. If you venture down that Ruè, you need to check out the oldest sandwich shop…Schwartz’s Deli https://www.schwartzsdeli.com/ 
for the best smoked meat sandwich you have ever had….HANDS DOWN. Another favorite of mine on that street was a clothing store called LA Jet Society (@lajetsociety). 
Funky, different, unique and comfy clothing. Right up my alley! If you are in the mood for some amazing poutine and a frothy delicious cappuccino, check out Ginkgo Cafe…part of the UQAM Pavillion and for some amazing breakfast, visit Allómoncoco on St. Catherine St….the nutella crèpe is a must! For a fun night out (and for my risquè peeps out there who will not blush or shy away) check out a burlesque variety show at The Wiggle Room (https://wiggleroom.ca/). Frenchy and MC Danny D give you a real treat! For a succulent steak dinner with all the extras, Gibby’s (https://www.gibbys.com/ ),the oldest steakhouse in Montrèal, is a go to. Little pricey but well worth it. Especially if you are a steak lover. You leave F U L L, let…me….tell….you. For a delicious meal and for the chicken lovers at heart, St.Hubert in the Gay Village is your place. Known for their rotisserie chicken, it was pretty damn good, I must say! The big Ferris Wheel in Old Port is soooooo worth going on. Incredible 360 degree views of the city! Absolutely gorgeous, especially at nighttime. You won’t be disappointed. For AHHH–MAZING pizza…I’m talking over 70+ different pizzas you can choose from, you have to go to Il Focolaio (https://ilfocolaio.ca/en/). For a sweet tooth treat, La Diperíe (https://www.ladiperie.com/) 
is your spot. Ice cream that can be dipped in over 20+ dipping sauces, your mouth just waters as you wait for them to finish the dipping process on your cold treat. My husband and I went there AT LEAST three times on our five day stay. Can you tell that I L-O-V-E my sweets?
For that real European vibe with the little cafes and cobblestone streets, check out the Old Port. And if you are in the Old Port, a place you need to see (and get one of their 
delicious drinks) is El Pequeño (https://www.elpequenobar.com/). The name is so fitting for this bar that literally holds only 9, yes nueve, people in it. 9 is the perfect #, 10 is too crowded. Thank god they have outdoor seating in the warmer months to people watch and enjoy one of their popular drinks such as the Piña Colada (not frozen) or Mojito. Otherwise, you could be waiting in a long line to just enter the building. You will notice to the right of El Pequeño, there is a big metal door with a red light above it and a doorbell next to it. Enter The Cold Room. A hidden, dark, basement speakeasy gem that inhibits you to drink the night away without any worry of the outside world above. Sipping on your bourbon inspired cocktail (we enjoyed Paper Planes) while sitting with unknown strangers in a busy sequestrial setting, it is hard to not feel like you are in a scene from the Prohibition days. I have been to several speakeasys before and this one by far was a fav for me. Note though, that if it is extremely crowded like the night we went in with it’s low ceilings and tight quarters to match, all while boozing it up, one might feel a little claustrophobic, so just keep that in mind. If you are feeling spontaneous and rebellious enough, I don’t know, get a tattoo like we did, go see JPark at DFA Tattoos on St. Catherine St. (https://www.dfatattoos.com/). Super friendly staff, super clean shop, super easy process. We got something small but cute as a souvenir to our first trip to Canada together.
For late night good eats, go to Chinatown. Probably some of the best Chinese food I ever had. Before booking this trip, we did extensive, I mean, I was wicked anal about it, (because well, you know, you are in another country and the last time I was there was like 20 something years ago), research on a place to stay. I checked hotel after hotel and none of them seemed to fit in our budget. We opted for an AirBnb and I am sooooo glad we did! Our apartment was everything we wanted and more!! In the middle of EVERYTHING, I’m not even kidding you. We had Chinatown, St. Catherine St, St. Laurent St., Old Port, Downtown, Gay Village all within walking distance to our place. The best part is that we were on one of the top floors of the building with a balcony overlooking 180 degree panoramic view of the city.
I mean I couldn’t ask for a better home to stay in. Reasonably priced with a week parking across the street for a very fair rate (we paid $25 a day in an underground parking garage), super clean, super convenient, with an incredible view, and a balcony to suntan on (which I did lol), we really lucked out. Our host Magda was beyond accommodating and hospitable. If we were to ever go back to Montrèal, we will definitely be staying at her place again. All in all, our trip was one for the books. We had such an amazing time taking in everything this city had to offer. We walked everywhere. We ate some of the best food. We met some really cool people. By the way, don’t worry if you don’t speak French either. Everyone basically speaks English in Montrèal or knows more than one language since it is a touristy place to visit. My hubby and I went in the summer so we had great weather, but I am sure it is just as pretty in the winter too. Can’t wait to hopefully venture our way to Quebec City and Toronto soon! I heard those are just as beautiful!!
Ask me anything about our stay in Montrèal and I will give you my honest opinion! Until the next trip with us!!