• Fall Driving Tours • Halloween Travel • A Real Thanksgiving
Table of
Dear readers, Temps are get ting cooler, and leaves will be changing soon, so it’s time to plan the perfect fall getaway. With kIds back in school and fewer folks traveling, that means less traffic and shorter lines. But where to go? Beaches are a summer favorite, but fall calls for other locales. With autumn colors and a pair of holidays approaching, we planned a few itineraries to satisfy your seasonal wanderlust. Happy travels!
CONTENTS Fall Travelers 2014 Wanderlust Lane Anytown, Tenn.
Bewitching fun for Halloween travel............................
3
Fall foliage driving tours...................................
4
Eat like a pilgrim in Plymouth, Mass.........................
9
PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT Laura Hollingsworth VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES John Ward ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Emily Daniel EDITOR & WRITER Diane Hughes GRAPHIC DESIGNER Crystal Elliott
september is national passport awareness month
first time passport applicant?
41st Annual
Ft. Massac Encampment
Planning a vacation out of the country? Apply for a passport at least three months prior to your departure. Forget the hassle and expedite fees. To learn how and where to apply, visit travel.state.gov.
OCTOBER 18 & 19 • 10AM - 5PM FORT MASSAC STATE PARK • METROPOLIS, IL Where I-24 meets the Ohio River just across from Paducah, KY
Handcrafted Items • Variety of Food • Mock Battle Fife & Drum Music • Children’s Activities • Plus Much More!
More information at www.MetropolisTourism.com or call 618-524-4712
2 | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | DESTINATIONS
Witch way to go
for Halloween travel? Salem, of course On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop stood on the hangman’s gallows in Salem, Mass., accused of the crime of witchcraft. She was the first of 20 to die during the notorious witch trials after mass hysteria enveloped the town. Nineteen of the convicted were hanged, one elderly man was crushed to death with stones, hundreds of others were accused of witchcraft and dozens were jailed for the crime.
Tennessean Custom Publications
While Christmas may be the favorite holiday of the masses, for some folks the ghoulish fun of Halloween makes it their most wonderful time of the year. With Halloween just around the corner, we know you have all things macabre on your mind. So, to satisfy your affinity for fright, we offer the setting of Salem, Mass., as a backdrop for a spooky and fun fall vacation destination.
WITCHES, GHOSTS & MORE With its history of witches and the occult, Salem is the ideal setting for a Halloween vacation. If you have a penchant for history with a dose of mass
hysteria, visit the Witch Dungeon and witness the reenactment of a witch trial based on actual transcripts from the event. From the dungeon, it’s a short walk to the Witch History Museum for a live presentation that brings the witch era to life. There’s also the Salem Witch Museum, which features life-sized sets and figures plus guides who narrate the story of the witch trials and relate the fear that gripped Salem during the witchhunts. Billed as the city’s “only remaining structure with direct ties to the witchcraft trials,” The Witch House on Essex Street is the former home of Jonathan Corwin, one of the magistrates who presided over > > WITCH, 11
Welcome to Salem Mass.
GETTY IMAGES
By DIANE HUGHES
DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | 3
LET’S GO LEAF PEEPING
By DIANE HUGHES GETTY IMAGES
Tennessean Custom Publications
Once the summer heat and humidity in Nashville give way to crisp morning air and evenings on the patio, our thoughts turn to fall and Mother Nature’s parade of glorious colors. If you generally spend the fall season leaf peeping in and around Middle Tennessee, we encourage you to branch out and witness the spectacular autumn colors in other parts of the country. Depending on a region’s climate and soil conditions — combined with the species of trees found there — the variety, duration and intensity of colors found at your fall destination will vary. From brilliantly tinted red maples to the golden yellow leaves on the paper birch, you’ll see a decidedly different swath of colors when you travel to different parts of the U.S. We’ve done a little recon for you and come up with a short list of driving tours for your fall leaf-viewing pleasure.
4 | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | DESTINATIONS
Olympic National Pa rk
Stunning fall colors provide a sharp contrast to the otherwise lush green landscape of the Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest. Plus there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, lighthouse touring and more. Soak in the hot springs at Sol Duc. Walk to the lighthouse on Dungeness Spit. Relax beside the shore of Lake Crescent. Visit a lavender farm. The list goes on.
WHERE TO START Seattle, Wash.
POINTS OF INTEREST
SUGGESTED ROUTE Take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island (stop to see the lighthouse) and continue on through Poulsbo and cross the Hood Canal Bridge. Continue on Highway 104 to Highway 101. Follow Highway 101 through Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks (ground zero for Twilight fans) and down to Aberdeen. Complete the circle through Olympia and back to Seattle.
LENGTH 422 miles (give or take, depending on side trips you take)
PEAK TIME FOR FOLIAGE The month of October
Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest. Hall of Mosses, Quinault Rain Forest, Lake Crescent, Sequim lavender farms, Dungeness Spit and Lighthouse, Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Fat Smitty’s Hamburgers (between Hood Canal Bridge and Sequim).
DISTINCTIVE LODGING Lake Quinault Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, Lake Crescent Lodge.
OTHER ACTIVITIES Hiking, canoeing, viewing wildlife, cycling, birding, lighthouse touring and more.
ONLINE RESOURCES wsdot.wa.gov/ferries, visitkitsap.com, olympicpeninsula.org, cityofpa.us, olympicnationalparks.com, quinaultrainforest.com, sequimlavender.org, sequimwa.gov, forkswa.com, newdungenesslighthouse.com Map of the loop: bit.ly/OlympicPeninsulaLoop
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, NORTH CAROLINA & VIRGINIA
Varied elevations along the parkway translate to diverse views on this famous stretch of highway. If you don’t see bursts of fall color on your first day out, keep driving and you’re sure to spot them. This area is rife with mountain views and opportunities to hike, cycle, camp or just enjoy the view. And for Andy Griffith fans, a visit to the actor’s hometown of Mount Airy, N.C., (the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry) is a must. You can even rent Griffith’s former home through the local Hampton Inn. Pilot Mountain, N.C., just 15 minutes away, is the inspiration for — you guessed it — the fictional TV town of Mount Pilot.
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, NORTH CAROLINA & VIRGINIA
GETTY IMAGES
GETTY IMAGES
OLYMPIC PENINSULA, WASHINGTON STATE
OLYMPIC PENINSULA, WASHINGTON STATE
Blue Ridge Park way
POINTS OF INTEREST
WHERE TO START Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cherokee, N.C.
WHERE TO GO Pick up the parkway near the Oconaluftee Visitors Center on the North Carolina side of the national park. You can drive the entire length of the parkway or just a portion. Return the same way you came; the view may have changed since your first passing.
LENGTH About 489 miles from southern entrance near Cherokee, N.C., to northern entrance near Waynesboro, Va. (978 miles roundtrip)
PEAK TIME FOR FOLIAGE Mid to late October
Mount Pisgah, Craggy Gardens, Peaks of Otter (where three mountain peaks meet in Bedford, Va.), the Natural Bridge Park, Stone Mountain State Park, Blue Ridge Music Center, Andy Griffith Museum, Andy’s Homeplace, Humpback Rocks (a picturesque outcropping of rocks that protrudes from the side of Humpback Mountain), Monticello.
DISTINCTIVE LODGING Peaks of Otter Lodge, Pisgah Inn, The Place on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterfront Blue Ridge Parkway Log Cabin, Lovill House Inn Bed & Breakfast, Cedar Post Inn Bed & Breakfast.
OTHER ACTIVITIES Fishing, hiking, camping, historic sites, museums, photography.
ONLINE RESOURCES blueridgeparkway.org, pisgahinn.com, blueridgeheritage.com, monticello.org, visitmayberry.com. Download the Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Planner Mobile App, available for iOS and Android. Map of the route: bit.ly/BlueRidgeRoutePart1, bit.ly/BlueRidgeRoutePart2
> > LEAF PEEPING, 8
DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | 5
6 | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | DESTINATIONS
DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | 7
>> LEAF PEEPING, FROM PAGE 5
WHERE TO START Greenville, S.C.
WHERE TO GO Take Highway 29 from Greenville to Spartanburg (be sure to stop at Miliken Arboretum) and continue on to Chesnee via Highway 221. In Chesnee, pick up the scenic byway (aka Highway 11) and follow it through Cleveland to its terminus near Lake Hartwell State Park. From there, follow Highway 59 to Seneca. Travel through Clemson on your way back to Greenville via Highway 123.
ES GETTY IMAG
SOUTH CAROLINA, CHEROKEE FOOTHILLS NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
Table Rock
LENGTH
SOUTH CAROLINA, CHEROKEE FOOTHILLS NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
PEAK TIME FOR FOLIAGE End of October through early November GETTY IMAGES
Take the road less traveled! This shorter and lesserknown scenic route allows you more time to stop and explore South Carolina’s “Upcountry” — all while avoiding the crowds found on more popular scenic drives. In this case, less is more. From botanical gardens and museums to covered bridges and historic homes, there’s a lot to see along the way.
208 miles to make the basic loop.
POINTS OF INTEREST Poinsett Bridge
Roger Milliken Arboretum, Campbell’s Covered Bridge, Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve, Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, Caesar’s Head State Park, Table Rock State Park, Devil’s Fork State Park, Oconee State Park, Lake Hartwell State Park, The Lunney House Museum, Ballenger House, South Carolina Botanical Gardens, Greenville Zoo.
DISTINCTIVE LODGING Cabins at several state parks, Lowry House Inn, Red Horse Inn, Liberty Hall Inn, The Inn On Main.
OTHER ACTIVITIES Hiking, camping, hot air ballooning, zip line canopy tours, live music, live theatre, art exhibits and more.
ONLINE RESOURCES upcountrysc.com, southcarolinaparks.com, wofford.edu/arboretum, ballengerhouse.org, lunneyhousemuseum.org, southcarolinabedandbreakfast.com, thelowryhouseinn.com, theredhorseinn.com, innonmainofspartanburg.com, libertyhallinnsc.com. Map of the loop: bit.ly/SouthCarolinaLoop 8 | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | DESTINATIONS
GETTY IMAGES
Pilgrim’s progress: Giving thanks in Plymouth, Mass.
By DIANE HUGHES Tennessean Custom Publications
This Thanksgiving, don’t have the same old turkey and dressing with mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce. In fact, don’t even cook at all — let someone else do it for you. We suggest you take Thanksgiving on the road this year. And we don’t mean to grandma’s house. We’re talking back to where it all began: Plymouth, Mass. While there are varied opinions about the details of what we consider the “first Thanksgiving” and about how we came to observe the holiday as we do, there is no mistaking that this harvest celebration has become deeply ingrained in the American experience. And there’s no mistaking that when it comes to Thanksgiv-
ing, you can’t get more authentic than Plymouth. For many, Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and football — and hopefully a little gratitude thrown in. For others, it can be dealing with the odd relative who drinks too much or fielding too-personal questions from the aunt you only see once a year. But a Thanksgiving getaway to Plymouth offers a chance to gain historical perspective while sightseeing in beautiful New England. There are a number of historical attractions here and plenty of Thanksgiving-themed activities. We’ve done the research and put together some suggestions on what to do and see while you’re here.
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING? Plimoth Plantation is a 17th-centurystyled English village that serves as a
living history lesson for visitors. You can shop, dine and learn about the pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe. (Note that Plimoth is an older/alternate spelling that was used by Plymouth Governor William Bradford. It was adopted at this recreated village in order to distinguish it from the city of Plymouth proper.) History reveals that what we think of as the first Thanksgiving wasn’t really the first at all. The harvest celebration was an ancient tradition among both the pilgrims and the Wampanoag. Since the colonists at Plymouth had suffered through illness and a scarcity of food in the previous year, they were probably especially grateful for the harvest of 1621. And with the Wampanoag as their distinguished guests that year, it makes for a good story, right? At any rate, you
can learn all about the history of Thanksgiving and the pilgrims’ way of life in Plymouth when you visit Plimoth Plantation. Plimoth Plantation also offers an array of dining options, including a Thanksgiving Day Buffet (four seatings), America’s Thanksgiving Dinner (seatings on Thanksgiving day and the Friday following), Eat Like a Pilgrim (that means sans fork) and Harvest Dinner With the Pilgrims (seatings in October and November). Other dinners include the Plymouth Bay Barbecue and Cape Cod Clambake. Themed dining experiences incorporate pilgrim and Wampanoag role players, and some even include entertainment (singing and music of the period). > > PLYMOUTH, 10
DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | 9
>> PLYMOUTH, FROM PAGE 9
Another big attraction here is the Mayflower II, a full-size replica of the ship that brought the pilgrims from England to the New World. Visitors are able to walk around areas of the ship and learn what life was like for its passengers during their 66-day journey across the Atlantic. Billed as “America’s Hometown,” Plymouth is also home to the Portal to the Past Historic Village, set in historic Brewster Gardens. The village is filled with recreated camps and brings the past to life with knowledgeable historians who portray people from the past and guide visitors through America’s four centuries of history. You’ll find artisans, including basketmakers, a leather worker, blacksmith and more, as well as concerts, period music and dancing. Attractions, some of which are free, include a recreated pilgrim village, the Wampagnoag Pavilion and more. On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Plymouth holds its annual Thanksgiving Parade. It ain’t Macy’s, but it is the real deal. What could be more authentic than a Thanksgiving parade held in the city known for starting Thanksgiving?
AROUND TOWN On the waterfront at Plymouth Harbor, near the anchored Mayflower II, you’ll find Plymouth Rock, the glacial boulder that is reputed (and disputed) to be the rock that pilgrims first set foot on in 1620. The rock has been cracked, split in two and pieced back together. Parts of it were chipped off as souvenirs (before it was enclosed to protect it) and a chunk of it was removed and donated to Pilgrim Hall Museum (where you can actually touch it). It’s not a behemoth stone but rather nondescript — except for the numerals engraved on it: 1620. While it may not be the actual surface that pilgrims first stepped foot on, it has come to symbolize freedom, strength and
fortitude. For that reason alone, we think it’s worth making your own pilgrimage to see it. Plymouth’s Brewster Gardens is a little hidden gem that travelers rave about. Situated next to Town Brook, which served as a water source for the pilgrims who settled along its banks, the gardens include a nature trail, several ponds, lovely landscaping and a series of statues that give a nod to the city’s pilgrim past. Cranberry sauce is a staple of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, but have you ever wondered where all those cranberries come from? A visit to this part of the country for Thanksgiving puts you here at the right time and the right place to see a cranberry bog. A sweeping sea of floating cranberries is quite beautiful, and many farms offer tours and allow guests to witness berries being harvested (weather permitting). The Cape Cod Cranberry Grower’s Association website offers information on farms, tours and more. Take time for recreation at Myles Standish State Forest, which offers hiking and biking trails, swimming, fishing, canoeing and more. Or stop in at the First Parish Church in Plymouth, also known as “The National Memorial Pilgrim Church.” Dedicated in 1899, it is cited as the oldest continuously operating church in the New England area. Take a tour and see the story of the pilgrims illustrated through a series of Tiffany stained-glass windows. In the nearby town of Scituate, Mass., the Scituate Historical Society manages a number of historical sites, including the Cudworth House, Stockbridge Mill and the Scituate Lighthouse. From learning the origins of Thanksgiving and exploring America’s past to experiencing the lifestyle of today’s New Englanders, a visit to Plymouth is a refreshing and unique Thanksgiving getaway you won’t soon forget.
ONLINE RESOURCES plimoth.org, usathanksgiving.com, seeplymouth.com, cranberries.org, scituatehistoricalsociety.org, mass.gov/eea. PHOTOS: (INSET) Plymouth Rock (TOP TO BOTTOM) (1) A view of Plimoth Plantation. (2)The Mayflower II, a full-size replica of the original Mayflower. (3) Old Scituate Light sits on Cedar Point in Scituate, Mass., near Plymouth. GETTY IMAGES 10 | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | DESTINATIONS
>> WITCH, FROM PAGE 3
the trials. Tours offer a glimpse at Colonial life and tie key events from the witch hunts to everyday life of the period. And lest we forget the tragic loss of life these events wrought, a visit to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial might be in order. Located adjacent to The Burying Point (the city’s oldest cemetery), the memorial features 20 granite benches inscribed with the names of those who were executed. With Salem’s historic ties to the infamous witch trials, you can find scary fun here any time of year,
but during October the city comes alive with stories of the dead. At The Witch House, “Tales at the Witch House” features actors telling chilling tales in the darkened mansion. Salem’s Pioneer Village, set aglow with flickering jack-o’lanterns, is host to performances of ghostly tales in “The Dark of Night.” Also during October, the Salem Trolley is transformed for the “Tales & Tombstones Trolley Tour,” which combines a look at Salem’s architecture with spooky stories of the paranormal.
OTHER THINGS TO DO Once you’ve sufficiently fright-
ened yourself with tales of ghosts and witches, there are many not-soscary points of interest to explore in Salem. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site (free) offers a look at the city’s shipbuilding history, and the Ropes Mansion Garden is a free public area featuring a Colonial revival garden that dates to 1912. Literary types will appreciate a visit to The House of the Seven Gables, the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel of the same name. And if you tire of being indoors, you can always take a stroll down Chestnut Street to admire the city’s architecture and historic landmarks.
ONLINE RESOURCES witchhistorymuseum.com, witchdungeon.com, salemwitchmuseum.com, witchhouse.info, salemtrolley.com, hauntedhappenings.org, salemweb.com, historicnewengland.org.
Bell Witch Farm & Cave If you’re from Middle Tennessee, you’ve probably heard of the Bell Witch. If you’ve never heard the story — or seen the movie An American Haunting — here’s the short version: Starting in the summer of 1817, farmer John Bell and his family were subjected to three years of torment by an unrelenting poltergeist at their Robertson County home. The spirit left following Bell’s death but vowed to return. Learn more of the story (and have loads of fun) with a haunted hayride on the Bell farm, an evening tour of the Bell Witch Cave or a visit to the Bell cabin (a purported replica of the original). In the meantime, we dare you to stand in a dark room and thrice utter the phrase “I do not believe in the Bell Witch.” www.bellwitchcave.com 615-696-3055 430 Keysburg Road, Adams, Tenn. Regular fall hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends only. Special hours the last two weekends of October extend to evening haunted hayrides and late-night tours of the Bell cabin and nearby Bell Witch Cave.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial stands near the Old Burying Point in Salem, Mass.
GETTY IMAGES
Visit the replica of the Bell family cabin in Adams, Tenn. FILE / TN MEDIA DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | 11
100’s of Vacations!
Non-Stops from Nashville from 5 Nights AIR + HOTEL
LOW $100 Deposit per person
$779*
All Prices Include Exclusive Non-Stop Flights ¡ All-Inclusive Resort ¡ Meals ¡ Drinks ¡ Local Representative ¡ Taxes ¡ Free 1st Checked Bag
WINTER All-Inclusive Getaways from $899* 5 Nights, PUNTA CANA ........................from $899* 6 Nights, CANCUN ................................from $1139* 6 Nights, RIVIERA MAYA ...................from $1269*
< Messages
Amy
Contact
Just what we need! But what about the kids How about Memories Splash Punta Cana? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a great waterpark for both the kids and us plus itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a short walk from the beach.
EASTER All-Inclusive Deals from $939* 5 Nights, PUNTA CANA ........................from $939* 6 Nights, CANCUN ...................................from $999* 6 Nights, g RIVIERA MAYA ...................from $1199*
SPRING All-Inclusive Specials from $959* 5 Nights, PUNTA CANA ........................from $959* 6 Nights, CANCUN ................................from $1199* 6 Nights, RIVIERA MAYA ...................from $1329*
And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all included? I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait! Did I tell you itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a non-stop
SUMMER All-Inclusive Steals from $779
*
5 6 6 6
Nights, Nights, Nights, Nights,
PUNTA CANA ........................from $779* CANCUN ...................................from $969* JAMAICA..................................from $989* RIVIERA MAYA ...................from $1089*
Sold! Bags already packed Booking now at www.vacationexpress.com! Take a look at the site so we can plan our next trip to Cancun!
*Advertised prices available for bookings made electronically through your travel agent or on vacationexpress.com; small service fee of $10 applies when booking through Vacation Express Call C ll Center. C Prices P i are per person, based b d on double d bl occupancy. Winter prices are based on 3/13-3/15 travel, Easter prices are based on 4/3-4/5 travel, Spring prices are based on 3/20-3/22 travel, Summer prices are based on 5/8-5/18 travel.. For full terms and conditions, hotel and description of all services, please refer to the Vacation Express 2014 Brochure or visit vacationexpress.com. Some upgrades are subject to availability upon check-in. Packages at the above prices are limited and are subject to change without prior notice. Vacation Express public charter flights operated by Interjet or SwissAir. Airfares are per person, reflect lowest available airfare at time of printing, are subject to change and based upon availability of class of service. Baggage charges and allowances vary by carrier, most major carriers are charging a fee for checked baggage. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Must book by 9/28/14.
vacationexpress.com | 800.486.9777
12 | Sunday, September 21, 2014 | DESTINATIONS