Zoo Lights

Zoo Lights at Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA are officially open!

I remember my first time at the Zoo Lights - I was enchanted! You don't have to be 7 years old to marvel at the beauty of the holiday lights at Stone Zoo. Take a stroll through the zoo and look at all the displays in a real winter wonderland. Don't forget to check out the animals! It is a zoo, after all. Of course, Santa is there if you want to get your picture taken with him. Every few days, there will be various Christmas carolers for your enjoyment. Who doesn't love some singing? Feel free to start your own impromptu caroling, too. The animals won't judge you.

The Zoo Lights are on display for the season every evening from 5pm until 9pm through January 2, 2011 (Closed December 25). Admission is $5 Monday through Thursday and $6 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Stone Zoo is at 149 Pond Street in Stoneham, MA, just a few minutes north of Boston. Directions are here. Dress warmly!


image&video via Zoo New England

Hiking in the snowy White Mountains

Since the last hiking post was very popular, probably because of the nice pictures, here is "Hiking in the White Mountains 2".

This time, we experienced a lot of snow and ice on our 4 mile Carter Notch trail. A stream was constantly flowing next to the trail and sometimes even on the trail. This was a bit muddy but really nice.

First, we encountered a lot of rocks and stones and even climbed with our huge backpacks. Then, we had lots of ice and snow on our moderately steep path which made it slippy but also adventurous.

Since this trail leads to Carter Notch Hut, there are lots of bridges and safe river crossings because lots of people hike there.

The hut was really crowded in the evening and we met many different people from NH, MA and even Québec. In comparison to a shelter, it was very luxury to have one´s own kitchen and a bunkhouse to sleep. So, we enjoyed delicious Lasagna after the hike and pancakes the next morning.

Additionally, we didn´t have to bring a lot of equipment, only warm clothes. The weather was extraordinary sunny and warm for November and we could take some of these amazing pictures I want to share with you. The frozen pond was really impressive but we didn´t dare to walk on it.

Watch the pictures, look for good hiking boots and plan your next hiking trip in winter. Hiking with snow is amazing.

Spookyworld/Nightmare New England

Halloween is only 6 days away! This week head to America's Horror Scream Park- Spookyworld Nightmare New England at Mel's Funway Park in Litchfield, New Hampshire. This terrifying theme park will be open this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and on Sunday for Halloween. Don't miss out on seven acclaimed haunted attractions all at one location!

The attractions are: The Catacombs, The Colony, Torment, Raven's Claw, House of Eternal Darkness, Freak Show 3-D, and Sleep Stalkers. Food and Beverages are available at stands throughout the park. But beware of the freakish characters roaming around.

Waiting in lines to enter the Haunted Houses can be very long, but Spookyworld has a team of frightening characters that provide entertainment while you wait. While in line, these characters walk up to people and directly interact with the audience. Although none of the actors are allowed to touch you, they can get very close to your face, come up behind you, and even start calling you by name (if they hear whoever your with state your name). Their main goal is to scare people and keep the crowd involved. If you're lucky, you may even be able convince one of them to pose for a picture with you. As displayed on the left, I took a picture with a creepy clown with sharpened teeth! Glow stick necklaces were thrown out into the crowd, along with black and orange beach balls for game of volleyball which gets started up throughout the people in the packed lines. A man will come by and make announcements from time to time offering people to upgrade their ticket to the VIP package, which includes a significantly shorter wait period to get in the attractions.

Oktoberfest!

When: This Sunday is the 32nd Annual Oktoberfest and Honk! Festival Parade in Harvard Square from 12 noon until 6 pm.

Where: Harvard T stop on the Red line. Parking Garages: Harvard Square Parking Garage on Elliot St, The Church Street Parking Lot, The Holyoke Center Parking Garage, and the University Place Garage on Mt Auburn St. When in doubt, just look for the blue "P" for Public Parking. Don't count on street parking, many roads will be closed.

What: There will be six stages of live entertainment! Visit the Harvard Square website for all the details on who will be performing where. Most importantly, there will be tons and tons of international food and drinks, after all that's what Oktoberfest is all about! Sponsors include Samuel Adams, Yelp!, and FiRE + iCE. It's going to be a beautiful sunny day with a high of 63*F!

See you there!

Go for a Duck Tour!

Don´t you have much time? Are you annoyed of exhausting tourist activities? But still, you would like to see something special of Boston.

Then, go for a Duck Tour. This unique tour in a second world war amphibian vehicle gives you a great overview of Boston. During a cheerful tour, you will hear some historic details but also see movie sceneries like the ones in "The Departed" or "Boston Legal."

Besides, this vehicle doesn´t only drive on land. It can even move on water. As soon as the vehicle hits the Charles River, raise your hand and you will be one of the few who gets the chance to drive the vehicle on water.


This was one of the best guided tours I´ve ever had.

This weekend, the weather will be nice again. So, if you have to catch up with some Boston details, go for a Boston Duck Tour.

The Dark Side of Boston

Most Bostonians are unaware of the darker side of Boston's oldest neighborhood, The North End. Tourists are rarely ever informed of the misery, misfortune, and murder based on the true historical events that once occurred in this city. Discover the Dark Side of Boston on this guided walking tour that features topics of: crime, disease, death and disaster.

Tours are given every Saturday evening this month beginning at 5:30 PM. Make sure to arrive 10 minutes early and be prepared to pay your guide in cash. Tickets are $12 for adults and free for Boston By Foot members. Meet your guide at the corner of Hanover & Cross Streets, across from the Greenway. This is a great way to tour Boston and learn something new. Definitely take advantage of this low cost opportunity by exploring something different this fall!

Please visit the Boston By Foot website for additional info on this tour. Also, check out the Complete Calendar of various other Boston tours and special events offered until the end of October.

Image via here

Salem, MA in October

October is the most exciting time of the year for Salem, MA. World famous and full of history, the town tells the tales of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Visit the Salem Witch Museum for the complete story of the nineteen hangings, one man who was crushed to death, seven who died in prison, and countless accusations. The Salem, MA calendar of events is loaded for the month of October, peaking on the 31st with Halloween. Here are some featured events but check out the calendar for all the happenings in Salem!

Witch Trial Trail - A 1 hour candlelit walk departing at 7pm Tuesday through Sunday until October 31st. $12 for adults, no reservations required. Experience the sites of the Salem Witch Trials first hand and hear the stories from Jim McAllister, a well known local historian.

Terror Trail - A 1 hour and 20 minute candlelit walk every night from October 2nd until October 31st. Your tour guide will bring you throughout the roads of Salem, sharing the bizarre witchcraft stories, stories behind murders, and all you need to know about Salem ghosts and hauntings. Reservations required, $12 per person, Book your tour today, the dates are filling up fast!

Salem Chamber Haunted BizBaz Street Fair - A two-day event in Salem this Saturday & Sunday (9th & 10th). There will be over 100 vendors, live music and entertainment, and lots of food!

The Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo - Every day in October, from 10AM until 10PM. The most gifted psychics of Salem offer everything from tarot card readings to crystal ball readings, if you've ever wanted to try visiting a psychic, there couldn't be a better time or place than in Salem in October!

So, there are these events and many more ongoing throughout the month of October to keep you busy while you wait until the 31st! The countdown to Halloween is on! Do you have your costume yet?

images via here and here

Apple Harvest Day

One of the greatest things about fall in New England is the foliage. If you're looking to take your annual foliage tour, consider taking a drive up to Dover, NH this Saturday, October 2nd, where the town is hosting its 25th annual Apple Harvest Day and 5K Road Race.

35,000 people will visit Downtown Dover where there will be "Main Street" craft vendors, amusements, music, performances, pony rides, apple pie baking contests and more. You can enjoy the day outside, indulge in some great apple treats, and cheer on the runners in the 5K (something every Bostonian loves to do in preparation for Marathon Monday). I'll be there as a vendor, selling paper beads from Project Have Hope!

Whether you're a native Bostonian or a visitor in town for the weekend, taking a scenic drive up Interstate 95 to Apple Harvest Day is a great way to spend your Saturday afternoon.

image via