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Springtime in Key West is a tropical delight. Mild temperatures mean warm days and comfortable nights — perfect weather to see the sights, eat the delights and explore the city.  Key West is a tiny tropical island, just four miles long and two miles wide, and the last in the chain of the Florida Keys. Don’t let its small size fool you, Key West is big on things to do. Historic museums, water and outdoor activities, cultural events, live music, delicious food and drink, and the list goes on. There is truly something to match everyone’s interest and taste. When planning a trip to Key West, focus your stay and activities in the historic Old Town area to reap the most of what the city has to offer. The heartbeat of Old Town is Duval Street, a 1.2 mile long road that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean side of the island to the Gulf side. Lining the street is a mix of restaurants, bars, retail, art galleries and more. Although Duval is considered Old Town’s “Main Street,” there are still additional things to discover from historic locations to beautiful beaches when you venture off onto the intersecting side streets. So, read on and take note of the top things to do in Old Town Key West. Key West: Historic Homes and Museums The Hemingway Home & Museum  — Nobel Prize winning author and journalist, Ernest Hemingway, made Key West his home for about eight years and wrote many of his most famous works while there. Visitors can experience his home and the grounds through a self guided tour and/or a guided group tour (included in the ticket price). The historic home is situated on a lush shady lot that evokes a tranquil island feel. The home is filled with memorabilia from Hemingway’s life and decorated with original furnishings. Another highlight are the nearly 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats that live on the property. These unusual felines are descendants of Hemingway’s polydactyl cat, Snow White.  Open Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. No reservations, walk-ins only. Self-guided tour plus optional 20-30 minute guided tour. Guided tours start every 30 mins. More information . Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters  — The history of this naval lighthouse dates back to the 1800s (this is not the island’s first lighthouse). Located on the highest point in Key West, climb its 88 stairs to the top and enjoy views of the island and 15 miles across the nearby turquoise-colored sea. The Keeper's Quarters Museum explores what life was like for a lighthouse keeper. To manage expectations, the lighthouse is inland, not along the shoreline. The lighthouse is part of a collection of attractions by the Key West Art & Historical Society. Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Self-guided tour. Walk-in tickets available or reserved in advance online. Discounts and free admission for special groups, such as active military and children. Admission is good all day.  More information. The Harry S. Truman Little White House  — The Little White House is the perfect stop for anyone interested in presidential and modern U.S. history. Built in 1890 as living quarters for U.S. Naval officers, the historic site served as a functioning White House when President Truman conducted official business during vacations (he also recuperated there after his heart attack). The Little White House was the site for summits and enacting important executive orders. In addition to Truman, the home was used by multiple presidents including Eisenhower, Kennedy and Clinton. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Guided tour lasts 30 min . Time reservations not needed. Tickets available online. Discounts for bundling with other attractions. More information. Key West Museum of Art & History at the Customs House  —   This museum is located in the popular Mallory Square area and housed in the island’s former Customs House. The building first opened in 1891 and also housed the post office and federal courthouse. Today, visitors can learn more about Key West’s evolving history and culture through exhibits on the first two floors. For instance, learn how oil baron Henry Flagler made a railroad connecting Key West to mainland Florida a reality. The Customs House is part of a collection of attractions by the Key West Art & Historical Society. Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.(last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Self-guided tour. Walk-in tickets available or reserved in advance online. Discounts and free admission for special groups, such as active military and children. Admission is good all day. More information .  Tennessee Williams Museum  — Tennessee Williams, one of America’s most celebrated playwrights, was a long-time resident of Key West. Housed within Williams' home, the museum features a plethora of information about his work and his life, particularly in Key West. On display are signed works, playbills, historic photos with notables (particularly actors and actresses in his plays) and newspaper articles. Unlike the Hemingway house, there is very little of Williams’ personal belongings on display. The entire museum is basically two rooms. If you are a fan of his work (and the movies of his work), then you’ll enjoy the museum. Otherwise, it's underwhelming compared to the Hemingway experience. The museum is part of a collection of attractions by the Key West Art & Historical Society. Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Self-guided tour. Walk-in tickets available or reserved in advance online. Discounts and free admission for special groups, such as active veterans and children. Admission is good all day. More information . Mother Nature's Big Show: Sunset Watching in Key West Enjoying the sunset in Key West is a nightly ritual and practically a requirement when visiting. Frankly, there’s hardly a bad spot for seeing the sunset, but some are more regaled than others.  Mallory Square and Sunset Pier  — The most popular, hands down: Mallory Square and Sunset Pier. As the afternoon hours countdown, crowds of people start gathering and finding their spot for the big show, so get there with time to spare.   Mallory Square is a large, wide plaza at the end of Duval street and right on the water. A collection of street performers, vendors and live music, help pass the time until sunset. On the water, boat owners and charters cruise by and pause to watch the sunset from aboard.  Connected to the square is Sunset Pier, behind Ocean Key Resort. Sunset pier has a single bar railing with bar stools right on the water, as well as a large, wide pier filled with tables and chairs. Between both is a bar and a small outdoor stage for live music. Get a drink, find a chair and don’t move until sunset or you’ll be standing the whole time. Once the sun sets, the crowd clears out pretty fast. Update: Beginning in late April 2025 a 45 foot section of Mallory Square was closed while structural damage along the sea wall is assessed. The public can still come to the square and enjoy the beautiful sunset, but all activities and viewing are pushed back from the water's edge. To see what section is closed, visit the city's chamber of commerce site . Edward Knight Pier   — Located at the end of White Street on the Atlantic side of the island, the Edward Knight Pier is huge, extending a quarter mile over the water. Thanks to the extension, the pier is a nice place to enjoy unobstructed views of sunrise and sunset colors across the water. Throughout the day, the pier is also a popular place to simply enjoy the ocean and watch boats coming and going. The pier is made of concrete with zero shade, so it really heats up on hot days. The pier is dog and bike friendly. Sand in Your Toes: Key West Beaches Key West has beautiful beaches, but some are better for the views than relaxing in a chair or on a towel. Here’s a rundown on options when the ocean is calling. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach   — For that just right experience where you can do it all, visit Fort Zachary Taylor Beach. The beach, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf come together, is within a 54-acre park that includes a large shaded forested area and a sunny beachfront. If you don’t want to sit in the sun, then relax under the palms and other trees that are close to the shoreline.  Bike, drive or walk into the property (small admission fee based on mode of transportation and number of people) and then find your spot on the sand. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent chairs, umbrellas and even snorkeling items (although the water is still pretty cold in the spring).  They do not rent towels, but they are available for purchase. Be sure to bring water shoes or flip flops because this is a coral beach with a mix of sand and coral pebbles of varying sizes. There are large bathrooms, lockers for rent, and a cafe on site. Being able to change out of a suit into other clothes is a nice perk, especially if you are going from the beach to a restaurant. The park has picnic tables, grills, and trails for biking and walking. It is a beautiful area to explore. The paths follow along the ocean, the moat outside historic Fort Taylor and through denser parts of the forest (you might see an iguana). The park, including all of the grounds, beach and Fort Taylor, is a National Historic Landmark. The fort is named for U.S. President Zachary Taylor, and dates back to the mid 1800s. The fort’s history includes serving as a Union stronghold and headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s East Gulf Coast blockade squadron during the Civil War. Today, the remains of the fort and its museum can be toured. It also has the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. Open daily, 8 a.m. – to sunset. Fort, open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cafe and beach rental stand open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Plenty of parking. More information . Higgs Memorial Beach  — Higgs is a public beach and waterfront park on the Atlantic Ocean. Available amenities include volleyball, snorkeling, pickleball and a playground. Rentals are available for beach chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards and more.  The bathrooms and showers were renovated in 2024. There is also an oceanfront restaurant and ample parking. The beach is flanked by two piers: the Reynolds Street and Knight pier at the end of White Street. Open daily, 6 a.m.- 11 p.m. Rest Beach  — This small, narrow beach is located next door to Higgs and the Knight pier entrance. Don’t expect any amenities beyond a picnic table, but it won’t be as crowded either. Open daily, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. South Beach  — South Beach is a small beach located at the end of Duval Street in a touristy area with lots of restaurants, shops and accommodations, including the Southernmost Beach Resort . It’s also just around the corner from the Southernmost Point marker, a popular picture spot (more on that later).  Although you can rent a beach chair, go somewhere else to sit on the beach or put your feet in the ocean if you want peace and quiet. This is a busy area and not the prettiest. Although a public beach, priority is given to resort guests for lounge chairs. Southernmost Beach Cafe , which is part of the resort, is located on the beach and a popular place for drinks and especially breakfast. Beachgoers also benefit from the cafe's live music. There are no restrooms at South Beach, except in the cafe or other restaurants. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Smathers Beach   — Although located in the New Town rather than the Old Town section of Key West, Smathers Beach is just too big to leave off the list. At ½ mile long, it’s the largest public beach on the island. The beach runs parallel to Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway and a large sidewalk used for biking and exercise. Parking is available along the road, but usually with a small fee per hour. Restrooms available. Food trucks during popular times. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Bathrooms close at 6:30 p.m. Key West Hidden Gems Key West Garden Club and West Martello Tower  — The Key West Garden Club has turned a fortification dating black to the War of 1812 into its home and a tropical paradise. Club members have thoughtfully created a variety of unique spaces that incorporate the remains of the fort’s brick walls. There are water features, a butterfly garden, ornamentations and shaded places to sit and watch the ocean. An extra special spot is the walking meditation labyrinth (also the site of a regular yoga class). Because of the fort’s design, this area is atop a small hill and the view of the ocean is gorgeous. When biking Key West this is a wonderful place to stop and cool down (cold bottles of water are for sale). It’s located on Atlantic Blvd. next door to the popular Higgs beach.  Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. except Christmas and New Year’s Day. No entrance fee, but a small donation is welcome.  More information . The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy  — Experience a tropical paradise of birds and 50-60 butterfly species from around the world. I’ve been to numerous butterfly habitats, but never with this many active butterflies and species variety. It was a wonderful experience watching them flutter all around. The habitat is within a glass-enclosed, climate controlled dome-like structure. It’s filled with tropical plants and flowers, as well as a water feature and a resident pair of pink flamingos, Rhett and Scarlett. There is a viewing area for watching butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and plenty of staff on hand to answer questions. Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Hours vary for major holidays. More information . Tours of Old Town Key West Walking Tours   — A fun and popular way to take advantage of Key West’s small size and flat topography is a walking tour. There is a tour to match just about everyone’s interest — food, drink, history, architecture, culture, etc. And, there are plenty of guided tour companies to provide the experience. If you'd rather do a self-guided tour, consider the Key West Art & Historical Society's Historic Marker Tour . The tour features over 120 sites with audio descriptions and vintage photographs. There are also numerous themes to explore such as the island’s cigar industry, maritime heritage, military history and architecture.  More information . For simply a nice walk along the water, then explore the Historic Seaport Harbor Walk along AB Marina. The seaport is spread over 20 acres so there is always something interesting to discover — gorgeous yachts, fishing boats, shops, galleries, places to eat, attractions and more. More information . Ride Along Tours — If you're not up for walking, check out a ride along tour. For the instance, the Conch Tour Train is an open air, mini "train" that offers an hour long tour of Old Town along with other perks, such as a free guided walking tour and admission to the Sails and Rails Museum . Or, you might prefer the 90 minute "hop on, hop off" experience provided by Old Town Trolley Tours . Both tours, along with some other attractions, are owned by the Key West-based company, Historic Tours of America, which is why some popular activities can be bundled. How about riding along by water? There are charters, floating tiki bars and more if you want to enjoy the sites aboard a vessel. For instance, Lagerheads Beach Bar and Watersports offers tours onboard the Rum Runner, a small pontoon party boat (up to 16 passengers). Choices include visiting a sand bar and ship wreck site for snorkeling and a sunset cruise, Side note, Lagerheads has its own (small) beach and cafe. Chair rentals are $10 for the day. The Fury company offers a huge assortment of water tours and activities for small and large parties. Glass bottom boats, dolphin cruises, sunset cruises with live music, jet skies, parasailing and more. Crowds wait for sunset along the edge of Mallory Square and by boat. Looking for some adventure off the island, then consider Dry Tortugas National Park . Visiting the island, which is about 70 miles off the coast of Key West, is a popular, day-long adventure for snorkeling and touring the historic Fort Jefferson. The park is a collection of seven coral reef islands. A tour company will charter you by ferry or seaplane. Passes and fees are managed by the National Park Service. For anyone considering, this tour, keep in mind the outer moat wall is closed for repairs until 2026. More information . Food and Drink Tours — Plenty of companies offer tours around Old Town with a food and/or drink theme. For a one-stop experience to learn all about Key West's signature spirit, tour the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery . Your tour guide will explain Key West's association with rum and the distillery's unique salt cured, barrel technique. All tours include a free sample tasting. Tours are free and last about 15 minutes (no reservation needed). It's the perfect choice if you don't have two-to-three hours for a more involved tour that crisscrosses the city. The distillery also has mojito-making classes, a rum bar and a gift shop (they sell rum cakes, shirts and other spirits). To help you pick your favorite rum, complimentary tastings are offered. The distillery is perfectly located a couple of blocks from Mallory Square, on Simonton Street between Duval and the Historic Seaport. More information . An Eye on the Creative — If you love art, then you'll love Key West and discovering its creative side from the numerous art galleries to the beautiful architecture. Whether during an official tour or not, one of the fun things to notice when exploring Old Town are the baluster designs, murals and other sculpture installations . "Catfish" sculpture near South Beach. Balusters are the support pieces for a porch railing. Key West is known for its distinct baluster designs, which are found on all kinds of homes and businesses. Old Town Key West was designated a historic district in the 1970s. As a result, architecture mandates are in place that prevent residences and businesses within the district from altering original structures and colors without permission. The result? Much of what you see is exactly as it was years ago, including balusters with unique designs that often have a special meaning. For instance, the balusters at the former home of the 1940's jazz musician, Theodore "Fats" Navarro, features a trumpet design. Key West inspires creativity and the city embraces it. Throughout Old Town are large, vibrant murals by a variety of well-known artists including Rick Worth an Robert Wyland . The "Wyland Wall" is a depiction of marine life painted in the Seaport. This large mural joins others the artist has painted across the country to bring attention the beauty and importance of marine life and, for Key West in particular, its coral reef. Worth's murals capture the people and life of the city. For instance, near the Blue Heaven restaurant is Worth's mural featuring a day in the life of Key West's Bahama Village neighborhood featuring actual residents. Two popular Key West sites: a beautiful mural and scooters! Dispersed across the city are all kinds of public art installations, such as the Mallory Square sculpture garden featuring the bronze busts of people important to Key West history. Adjacent to Mallory Square, in the corridor between the gift shop and the indoor dining room of the El Meson De PePe restaurant, are large-scale replicas of Mario Sanchez's painted wood carvings. The carvings depict vignettes of Cuban Key West life. A collection of his original work is next door in the Key West Museum of Art & History. Where and What to Eat & Drink in Old Town Key West Best Dinner with a View Latitudes (Fine Dining)  — Dining at Latitudes is an elegant, tranquil experience where the sunset is as much of a star as the food. Although not in Old Town, Latitudes is just too special to leave off the list. Latitudes is located on Sunset Key, a nearby resort island. Dining guests who aren’t staying on Sunset Key must take a ferry over. Diners gather at the ferry's assigned dock in the historic district, check in with the host and enjoy a relaxing 10 minute ride over.  Guests are seated outdoors overlooking the ocean at umbrella-shaded tables covered with white linens and adorned with tasteful place settings. The area is surrounded by lush landscaping and fire torches. Lighting is kept low and romantic. Best of all, every table has a perfect sunset view.  For dinner, I had an arugula and radicchio salad with grilled pineapple, spiced candied hazelnuts and a maple curry vinaigrette followed by a seared grouper with a spiced Cuban black bean sauce, chorizo, green apple jicama slaw, and yucca fries. Everything was plated beautifully and tasted even better than it looked. Perfection! Conch Republic Seafood Company (Casual)   — Conch Republic is a large, vibrant restaurant and bar located in the historic Key West Seaport. The food is delicious, generous in portion and comes with a side of picturesque marina views. On nice days, the restaurant rolls up the garage door-like openings along its perimeter, so guests can enjoy Key West breezes and the variety of watercraft coming and going in the marina. The Conch Republic prides itself on “dock to dish” fresh seafood and it did not disappoint. My bacon wrapped, crab stuffed shrimp with a BBQ glaze and pineapple salsa was so good! Best Mojitos Tropicado Mojito Bar  —  Key West is famous for Mojitos thanks to Cuban influences and a long association with key lime and rum (the drink’s main ingredients). For one that’s delicious, as well as presented beautifully, visit the Tropicado.  The bar is part of the upscale La Concha Hotel in the heart of Duval Street. The bar's wooden accents combined with dark greens and gold come together for a modern take on Caribbean decor. Sit at the bar or relax in the comfortable lounge-style seating. During happy hour, expect live music, but don’t expect a rowdy crowd — that’s not the Tropicado. Instead, you'll find a low-key, refined vibe. You can also enjoy some Latin-inspired tapas to go along with your drink.   Best Outdoor Live Music   El Meson De PePe  — Live music opportunities abound throughout Key West, especially along Duval Street. El Meson De PePe is fun and unique for its location and Cuban sounds. The restaurant, which focuses on Cuban and Caribbean food, is located right on Mallory Square. Its outdoor patio bar includes a live band and plenty of room for salsa dancing or just sitting and listening. It's the perfect place to enjoy before and after sunset. Best Bar Sloppy Joe’s   — This bar is famous, especially for its association with Ernest Hemingway, who was a longtime patron. Today, it’s what you’d expect from a beach town bar — its busy, packed, the drinks are served fast and the music is live. The bar honors its Hemingway past with a look-alike contest. January 2025 marked the 44th year for the contest. Photos of past and current winners hang on the “Papa” (Hemingway’s nickname) wall.    Best Rum Runner Speakeasy Inn & Rum Bar — Key West was a rum smuggling epicenter during prohibition and those involved were known as “Rum Runners.” The drink named for those rebels is a delicious mix of rum and fruit liquors and juices. Similar to mojitos, pretty much every restaurant and bar serves a rum runner, so really you can find “the best” all over town. The rum bar at the Speakeasy Inn is small, laid back and void of any pretense whatsoever. With hundreds of rums to choose from, it serves rum runners and other rum drinks that are well-made and tasty. It’s also well positioned on Duval Street near other popular spots, such at the Southernmost Point and the Hemingway House.  Be sure to notice the second floor baluster design that cleverly features the shape of bottles among hearts and diamonds — stealth advertising during prohibition that this was a place to drink and gamble. Best Breakfast Blue Heaven  — This spot is well loved. Why? It offers a combo of delicious food served in an eclectic, fun outdoor setting. Although inside seating is offered, dining alfresco under a canopy of umbrellas and trees feels very Key West. Despite its popularity, we only waited a few minutes to be seated. Maybe the time seemed short because once your name is added to the waitlist, you can relax across the street at the restaurant’s shaded outdoor bar and music annex.  Breakfast items are served well into the afternoon. A favorite is shrimp and grits featuring “pinks,” a.k.a. pink Key West shrimp. The restaurant is also known for its banana bread and key lime pie (more on that later).  Taste isn’t the only sense that will come alive at Blue Heaven. There is so much take in among the artwork, live music and homespun decor. During our visit, tucked around one corner, was an art show featuring paintings of chickens and roosters. There were live ones roaming around, too. Classic Key West!  Best Breakfast Runner Ups  Sunny Eggs  — This small, French-inspired cafe and bakery offers a wonderful sit down breakfast, which is served all day. My favorite dish is the Palm Breakfast, which is two organic eggs served your way, with bacon, roasted tomato, roasted potatoes, avocado slices and toast. If you are in a rush and need something quick to go, the baked goods, both savory and sweet, are pure perfection.  Moondog Cafe & Bakery   — Moondog features straight-forward breakfast offerings, such a quiche, a breakfast burrito, and steak and eggs. Also a large selection of benedict and omelet options. Moondog’s charm is rooted in its vibrant decor featuring colorful furnishings and large murals with a Key West theme. When the weather’s nice, request a table on the front porch. Best Key Lime Pie  Key limes are embedded in Key West culture. Historically, fishermen used them to prevent sickness and to tenderize conches for eating and flavor all kinds of recipes (a practice still used today). Probably the most beloved dish starring this little fruit is key lime pie. Frankly, you can probably buy a slice every 50ft when walking Duval Street. And, everyone has their own preference - super tart vs mild, firm vs soft, meringue topping vs whipped - so here’s a few and enjoy discovering "the best" for yourself.   Kermit’s Key Lime Shop   — A tart, firm pie with a dab of whipped topping. Traditional and delicious. Kermit's also have a variety of other key lime treats, such as cookies and pie slices on a stick that are dipped in coconut dark chocolate. Best Key Lime Pie Runner Ups Blue Heaven  — If you like meringue, then this is the pie for you. Blue Heaven’s key lime topping peaks at least four to five inches high. Cuban Coffee Queen  — Serves a nice traditional slice that pairs nicely with a shot of their freshly roasted Cuban coffee. Key West Pie Co .  — This shop offers a mini, and very portable, whole pie, which is a nice option to a regular slice.  Best Neighborhood (non-tourist) Dining Experience El Siboney Restaurant  — There’s a reason people say, “Eat where the locals go.” El Siboney exemplifies this adage. It’s a no frills place, with straight up excellent Cuban food served in a comfortable, family environment. My recommendation is the slow roasted pork with rice and a side of black beans and a fried plantain. More please! Eaton Street Seafood Market  — The stars of this casual market and cafe are the fresh caught fish, shrimp and crab from local fishermen. Want a grilled or blackened fish sandwich? Walk over to the display case and pick out a fresh catch from that morning. Your fish will be cooked perfectly and served on a ciabatta bun with coleslaw and plantain chips.  Eaton Street has a large selection of sandwiches, as well as tacos, salads, fresh catch plates, and fried shrimp plates. My favorite was a fried Key West pink shrimp sandwich with a bowl of stone crab chowder. Get your order to go or enjoy the outside seating.  Best Conch Fritter Conch Shack   — Order at the Conch Shack's walk up counter and wait a few minutes for hot, fried fritters that are a Key West tradition. Conch is a marine mollusk. It's tough, which is why it's tenderized by mallet and often marinated in lime juice for cooking. Conch fritters, to me, are akin to a hushpuppy that’s softer and chewier.  The ones made by the Conch Shack have just the right blend of conch, spice and dough. For added brightness, squeeze the lime slice over the fritters and then dip them into either the shack’s key lime aioli or spicy sauce. The food stand only has outdoor seating, which is perfect for people watching along Duval Street. The seating area is super small, so you might want to enjoy your fritters as you walk to Mallory Square for the sunset.   Best Conch Fritter Runner Up Mangoes — Known for its Caribbean cuisine, Mangoes prepares delicious conch fritters. Order a side of their tomato-based conch chowder for the perfect compliment. Mangoes is a large restaurant with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating (big streetside patio). The courtyard lounge surround a huge banyan tree. Mangoes is located in the "Pink Triangle" section of Key West, which is the 700 and 800 blocks of Duval St., an area popular for LBGTQ+ nightlife. Key West = Conch Republic Key West has more associated with conch than just fritters. It's actually tied to the city's adopted alter ego — the Conch Republic. In 1982, the U.S. Border Patrol set up a blockade on the road connecting Key West to the mainland. The blockade caused headaches for locals and affected tourism, so as symbolic protest, the city "seceded" from the U.S. and proclaimed itself the Conch Republic. This act is annually celebrated with The Conch Republic Independence Celebration , a 10-day, spring-time festival . And, throughout the year, Conch Republic flags hang at homes and businesses across the city. Getting Around Old Town Key West Forget the rental car and opt instead for walking, biking, golf carting or scootering around Old Town. The area is flat, easy to navigate and everything is close to each other. Old Town is especially bike friendly with paths, dedicated lanes and shared lanes (the speed limit is low and drivers are respectful).  Some hotels, such as the La Concha, and vacation rental properties offer complimentary bikes. If yours doesn’t, there are plenty of rental options for bikes and other transportation modes. If you’d rather uber, there’s always one nearby and they arrive quickly within minutes. Final Notes for Visiting Key West Southernmost Point Marker — No trip to Key West is complete without an obligatory picture at this landmark noting the U.S.' southernmost point. Located on the corner of Whitehead and South streets in Old Town, the marker is basically a giant concrete shaped buoy with the ocean behind it.  Keep in mind, this is a popular thing to do and there’s always a line of people waiting their turn. The line moves fairly fast, but get there early to avoid longer midday lines. If you don’t mind not  having the bright blue ocean as your backdrop, then stop by in the early evening for your picture when the crowd has cleared. Let's Celebrate — Key West likes a party, festival and big event. In addition to the Conch Republic's Independence Celebration, the city hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including Hemingway Days, Mystery Writers Fest, sailing regattas, artisan markets, the Mile 0 music festival, Pride Fest, Earth Day, Tennessee Williams' birthday, and so much more. A newly added — and immediately popular — event is , honoring Jimmy Buffet. The beloved musician, who lived in Key West for 30 years, died in 2023. The celebration is a collection of events over Labor Day weekend. A big highlight is the Second Line Parade and Party in the Park . The parade is in the tradition of a New Orleans' style funeral procession where a brass band leads family members (the first line) followed by friends (the second line). And, thousands of parrot-head friends turn out each year! The week also includes music, margarita strolls, food events and more. Proceeds benefit local charities. Feathered Friends — If you don't like chickens and roosters, then Key West is probably not for you. They roam freely around the city, including wandering into outdoor restaurants. Why? In the 1800s, Cuban settlers brought chickens and roosters to the island for food and cockfighting. In the 1970s, cockfighting was made illegal and the roosters were released. Today, they are a cultural symbol of Key West and protected from harm by city ordinances. The animals keep to themselves just like birds, squirrels and other wildlife you might see in a community. Key West International Airport  — If traveling by plane in and out of Key West, take note that the airport is very, very small. Don’t let the size fool you into thinking you can show up close to your boarding time and avoid any problems.  We were advised to add extra time because things “come up.” Also, the waiting area is small and fills up quickly, so if you don’t want to stand the whole time, arrive early. There is a small snack market and a coffee shop, but no commercial food chains typically found in an airport  Weather and Pricing  — December through April is considered the high season in Key West, so prices for airfare and lodging will likely be higher during these months. The higher price tag, however, is worth avoiding the blistering higher temps of the summer months or the fall’s rainy hurricane season. We visited in early March (the peak of high season) and expected big crowds, but that wasn't our experience. We got around the city easily and never struggled to find a place to eat or visit an attraction.

You don’t need to spend hours or lots of cash to create a visually interesting and frightfully fun serving table for your next Halloween party. Follow these quick tips for transforming your table faster than a werewolf appears in a full moon. Stick with a Theme A table looks best if there is a consistent theme in both story and color. The idea is to avoid too many elements and only use what makes sense to tell your spooky story. Also, you'll be adding serving dishes and trays to your table, so a consistent theme keeps everything from looking overcrowded. My favorite table story is a witch's lair where she brews her concoctions. For the look, I use green and purple accent colors against a black base. Then, I add a small bird cage, a fake crow (witches always have a pet), lots of skulls (victims!), a caldron, "potion handbooks" and "potion bottles." Here are some other ideas: • Screaming for the Screen – Use a movie as inspiration. For example, for "Friday the 13th," place "Jason" masks on the table along with foam "weapons," such as an axe or machete. From classic horror and sci-fi to modern slasher and suspense, the movie options are practically endless. Plenty of family-friendly options too, such as "Harry Potter" and "Hocus Pocus." • Skin and Bones – Spread fake skeleton parts and "dismembered" rubber hands, ears, fingers, etc., across your table. Pull out a length from a gauze roll and dip areas into red food coloring or color with a red Sharpie marker. Be sure to position these unrolled sections like a ribbon running across the table and curling around table items. Add "bloodied" fake knives and cutting instruments, as well. • Haunting Words Come Alive – Look to macabre literature, especially by Edgar Allen Poe. Bring to life the dark imagery of his work, such as the "Raven" and "Tell-Tale Heart." Plus, there's so much grim imagery of Poe himself. • Area 51 – Go all in on aliens and UFOs. Little green men figurines and alien-related items and decorations are so easy to find, even at the dollar store. • Creepy Critters – Place plastic or rubber bugs, millipedes, snakes and spiders in different sizes and colors across the table. • Pumpkin Parade – Showcase all kinds of fake pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns in different sizes and styles. • Haunted House – Decorate your table with items that look old or antique and stretch fake spider webs among them. Haze a mirror with soap or baby powder to make it look extra dusty and old. Elevate Decorations For an Eye-Catching Table Tables look best with decorations on different visual planes for the eye to explore. So before you place a tablecloth, create at least two levels in the center of your table. Follow these tips: 1. Raised Centerpieces – Create raised platforms by placing a shoebox, an upside down bowl or whatever you have on hand. Make sure it's sturdy enough to support your decorations. 2. Different Heights and Shapes – It's okay if the raised areas are different shapes and sizes. The differences will look more interesting overall. 3. Keep it Relaxed – Place a tablecloth over the raised platforms, but be sure to slightly pull and gather the fabric around the platforms. The fabric should gently fall around these areas. This tablecloth is the "base layer" for the final table covering. 4. Table Platform Options – In addition to, or in place of, raised platforms under a tablecloth, use your decorations to create height on top of the table cloth. My favorite choices are books and faux books. By the time September rolls in, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods roll out Halloween-themed storage containers and nesting boxes designed to look like books. Stack them up and top with a Halloween decoration. Layer Fabrics For A Striking Visual Effect Although a classic look, Halloween parties aren't the time for covering your table with only a single white tablecloth. Instead, use fabrics with texture and monotoned patterns in layers to create the perfect Halloween vibe. Here are steps for creating the look: 1. First Layer of Color – For covering the entire table and the raised platforms, pick a tablecloth in black (my preference) or any Halloween color, such as green, purple and orange. Another fantastic option is red, which looks especially creepy under layers of black. If white is all you have, don't fret, it will work fine since it's only a base layer. 2. Layer Fabrics On Top – The key to this look is covering part of the base tablecloth with accent layers of smaller, fabrics placed across the table at different angles. These layers shouldn't cover the entire table, just the majority of the center from one side to the other. 3. Arrange the Layers Loosely – Just like the base tablecloth, gather some of the fabric around the raised areas in the center of the table to make it look relaxed. You can also gather some fabric into a long, loose roll and then wind around the base of the raised areas. I did this with a runner that had a lacey, spider-web pattern. 4. Get Creative with Fabric Choices – I prefer the monotoned look of an all-black table. To create visual contrast, I use fabrics that vary in texture and type of material. But, as mentioned previously, a base tablecloth that's a different color from the top layers looks great, too. Fabric remnants work well for the accent layers. For instance, I used three different black fabrics: a flocked, spiderweb pattern; a sheer; and part of an old costume that looks like zombie rags. If the remnant has rough edges, then all the better for creating an eerie look. Want to make your own layers? Use what you have! For example, cut an inexpensive black, cotton bed sheet or an old costume into small sections and then tatter and fray the edges. Use What You Have Before you rush out to the store, look around your home for items to help decorate your table. For my table, I used left over St. Patrick's Day bead necklaces to represent a potion flowing out of a plastic caldron for my witch's lair theme. In our attic, I discovered antique glass a relative had collected and used those as potion bottles. Maybe you have some of these items tucked away in your home: • Old-looking books. • Glass bottles in dark colors. • Antique or ornate silver and pewter decor, such as goblets, vases and mirrors. • Small, aged metal and wooden boxes (open and fill with Halloween items, such as fake spiders or eyeballs). Be Creative With Lighting Lighting is the simplest and fastest way to turn so-so table decor into something extra special. Try out some of these ideas: • Mini String Lights Create Depth – Mini, battery-powered string lights, especially the extra small "fairy lights," in orange, purple or green look great on a table. Wrap the lights up around elevated areas and focal points, such as food trays, to create visual interest and depth. If your table covering includes a sheer layer, run the lights under it to help soften the look. • No Wax Worries – Combine a variety of battery-powered pillar candles and candle sticks with differing heights and styles. • Glow Sticks Grow Up – These handy soft lights aren't just for trick-or-treating. For an easy way to add accent color, strategically place small glow sticks under the tablecloth layers or drop into table-top Halloween decorations and containers. The effect is best when only one color is used. • Tried and True Votives – Battery-powered votives are super easy. Simply spread out on the table or place inside decorations such as plastic pumpkins and small glass containers. Votives with white lights work great, but those with orange, green or purple lights are even better. • Adjust Room Lighting – Switch out the bulbs in light fixtures and lamps for ones that are orange or purple. If you have a dimmable overhead light, turn it down. There are also specialty bulbs available that flicker. Get a Little Crafty If you have a little extra time on your hands, then try these two simple crafts that are perfect for decorating a Halloween party table. • Creepy Framed Images – Search the Internet for images that match your table theme. Print out and place these in distressed wooden or metal picture frames. Black-and-white, old-timey looking family portraits (those blank stares are freaky), are perfect as part of a haunted house theme. Images of apparitions and famous haunted houses also work. • Haunted Mansion Wine Bottles – Serving wine? Remove all of the labels and use a white paint pen to draw a spider web pattern on the bottles. Hope these tips and suggestions help you create a memorable Halloween party table. Enjoy!

What’s scarier, being chased by a zombie or a family member saying, “I just invited all the neighbors over for Halloween,” and that’s the next day! Don’t fear, here are some quick and easy ways to feed the scary masses at your house that look anything but last minute. Main Bites Chicken Salad “Bug” Sandwiches Ingredients 2 teaspoons of dried tarragon 2 tablespoons pecan bits (if you can’t find the extra small bits, use chopped pecans) ½ cup sliced red, seedless grapes (also set aside extra grapes cut in half for eyeballs on each sandwich) ⅓ cup finely chopped celery stalks ⅓ cup light mayonnaise ⅓ cup nonfat, Greek yogurt ⅛ teaspoon black pepper Pinch of salt 1 pound of skinless, boneless chicken breast (about 2 breasts) Package of small dinner rolls Thin pretzel sticks Directions 1. Mix first 8 ingredients. 2. Boil chicken breasts. Once done, drain and separate with a fork so meat is shredded. 3. Add chicken to the ingredient mixture. Stir to coat well. 4. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill. 5. Slice dinner rolls in half. 6. Add a dollop of chicken salad to each roll. 7. After placing sandwiches on a platter, cut some grapes in half. For each sandwich, place one grape on the end of two toothpicks and push the toothpicks into the top of the sandwich so it looks like eyes. 8. Slide three pretzel sticks into the chicken salad on each side of the sandwich so it looks like legs. Get It Done Even Faster •Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts. Don’t use the skin. •Buy pre-made chicken salad. This is usually just chicken and mayo, so add in the extras, such as the pecans and grapes. Or don’t, and save even more time! Marinated Cheese with “Eyeballs” Marinade Ingredients ½ cup olive oil ½ cup white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar ½ teaspoon dried basil 1 tablespoon parsley ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder (it’s a party after all, so go light on the garlic) 1 tablespoon chopped green onions or ⅛ dried minced onions 1 tablespoon jarred pimentos Get It Done Even Faster Skip steps above, and pick one of the following: • Mix 2-3 tablespoons of Italian seasoning with ½ cup olive oil and ½ cup of either balsamic or white wine vinegar. • Use jarred bruschetta topping with a balsamic glaze (available in ready-to-use squeeze bottles). • Top with canned, chopped fire-roasted tomatoes (drained), sprinkle with dried basil and garnish with balsamic glaze. Cheese Row Ingredients 8 ounce block of cheddar cheese 8 ounce package of cream cheese (reduced fat and Neufchâtel work well, too). Keep chilled. Directions 1. Combine marinade ingredients, stir vigorously and set aside. 2. Cut cheddar cheese into slices, about ¼ inch thick. 3. Cut the cream cheese block into two halves lengthwise and then into sections similar to the cheese slices. 4. In a shallow serving dish, alternate combining slices of cheddar cheese and cream cheese. 5. The slices will stand on one edge and form a long row. 6. Spoon marinade down the top of the row and serve. If you have time, divide the marinade. and use ½ on the cheese row and let the dish sit in the fridge for a few hours. When ready to serve, top with the rest of the marinade. 7. Across the cheese row, add ground black pepper to taste. 8. Serve with sturdy crackers (I like sea salt pita crackers). 9. Guests can easily separate their desired amount of cheese sections with the crackers, knife or small tongs. Get It Done Even Faster • Use a pre-cut block of cheddar cheese. • Don’t stress about the exactness of the cheese sections fitting together. It’s easy to make the cream cheese slices fit the size needed, plus the marinade covers the top of the row so it doesn't need to look perfect. Cheese Eyeballs Ingredients • Bundle (5-7 pieces) of semi-soft cheese, such as mini Babybel brand • Jarred, sliced green olives with minced pimentos (I used Spanish manzanilla olives) • Red gel food coloring Directions 1. Remove cheese from wax. 2. For each piece of cheese, use a melon baller or knife to scoop out a small divot in the center. 3. Place an olive with a pimento center in the divot. 4. Dip a toothpick into the food coloring. Then, in a few areas, drag the toothpick out from the olive to create the look of red eye vines. 5. Surround the marinated cheese and crackers with the “eyeballs.” Get It Done Even Faster • Skip the cheese eyeballs! If you want to add some flare quickly, place a few Halloween-themed cupcake picks into the cheese. Slinky Snake Breadsticks Ingredients 1, 14 ounce container of refrigerator pizza dough 3 tablespoons of bread dipping seasoning, such as the Delallo or Dean Jacob’s brands. 3 tablespoons melted butter 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese Few slices of pepperoni (I like the nitrate-free variety by Hormel Natural) Jar of marinara Directions 1. Cut dough into 6 inch sections by cutting the dough in two both lengthwise and across. 2. Roll each section between your hands and then place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment baking paper. 3. Make sure to form the snakes like they're slithering. 4. Shape the tail to a point and push down on the head slightly so it spreads out some and is larger than the rest of the body. 5. Brush with the dough with butter and sprinkle with the seasoning and parmesan. 6. Cut small, forked tongues out of the pepperoni slices and push one into the tip of each head using a toothpick. 7. Set oven temperature according to package directions, but reduce baking time to about five minutes since the snakes are small and will bake faster. 8. Serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping. Get It Done Even Faster • Use dough, such as the Jus-Rol brand, that’s rolled in paper in its container, so it's easier to manage. Keep the dough in the paper when cutting and only remove when forming the snakes. • Skip the tongue step. Pepperoni bakes to a dark color, so it's kind of hard to see anyway. Sweet Bites Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Squares Ingredients • Prepackaged Rice Krispie square treats (original size) • Milk chocolate melting wafers • Halloween sprinkles Directions 1. Remove Rice Krispie treats from wrappers. 2. In a microwaveable dish, melt about 1 cup of milk chocolate wafers in the microwave according to directions. 3. Once the wafers are melted, immediately dip one end of a treat into the chocolate covering about ¼ of the whole bar. 4. Place treat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. 5. Sprinkle on Halloween candy pieces. 6. Place the treats uncovered in the fridge to solidify chocolate. Better Brownie Bites No cooking here! Lots of fun ways to turn plain mini brownies into fun Halloween finger food. Components • Mini brownie bites from grocery store bakery • Icing bags (includes tips) in white and Halloween colors (or a container of white icing) • Halloween sprinkles • Bag of candy (candy corn, candy pumpkins, or small gummy treats such as eyes, bugs, and worms) Directions Option 1 : Top mini brownie with icing and Halloween sprinkles (I like using purple or green icing so the sprinkles, which are usually white, orange and black, stand out). Wilton makes decorating icing bags with a star tip for a no-fail way to apply the icing (a star and rounded tip are already attached to the bag). Option 2 : Make a small icing dollop on the top of the mini brownies. Then place a piece of candy. Looks best if the icing shows around the base of the candy. (I used candy corn and candy pumpkins with green and white icing). Candy Bites with a Little Something Extra This is a super, simple way to turn plain looking candy into a finger food treat for parties. Components • Mini Reese’s cups • Bag of candy corn or Halloween blend of M&Ms • Icing squeeze pack with a round tip in white (or a container of white icing) Directions 1. Remove mini Reese’s cups from their outer foil, but leave them in the paper wrapping. 2. Place a small dab or strip of icing on top of the cups. 3. Top with candy. Use either a single M&Ms or a piece of candy corn on its side. Use brightly colored M&Ms such as green, orange and purple. Drink Up! Slushy, Bloody Punch This versatile base for a party drink is a snap to make. It’s tasty as is and with alcohol added. Keep a batch in the freezer for whenever you need something to serve quickly. Ingredients 2 small (.13 ounce) packages of cherry or strawberry Kool-Aid 1 cup of sugar 1 quart of ginger ale 1 quart of water 24 ounces of pineapple juice (sweetened or unsweetened based on personal preference) Bag of gummy worms Serves about 15 punch cups (recipe is easy to double) Directions 1. Mix all ingredients in a tall container. 2. Split mixture into two gallon-sized freezer bags. 3. Place in the freezer. (I put the bags in the bottom half of a square, plastic food storage container before placing them in the freezer. This way, the bags are more manageable and the container will catch anything if the bags happen to leak). 4. Remove bags prior to the party and PARTIALLY thaw. (I place the bags – still sitting in the plastic food storage container – under a slow stream of warm water). 5. Once the mixture feels like it's getting soft, put it into the punch bowl and break apart the slushy ice with a knife or fork. 6. The mixture should be icy and slightly chunky. 7. If you want more fizz in the punch, don’t add the ginger ale before freezing. Instead, add just before serving. 8. For additional colorful creepiness, hang gummy worms over the side of the punch bowl and let a few float in the punch. 9. For an adults-only punch, add a couple shots of vodka. Get It Done Even Faster • Use a premade fruit punch, then add the pineapple juice and ginger ale. Freeze. • To save even more time, freeze a mixture of just ginger ale and fruit punch. Bloody Blueberry Martinis Ingredients 2 cups of a blueberry juice blend (I use a blueberry, blackberry and acai blend) ¼ cup of lemon juice fresh or from concentrate 2 cups blueberry vodka ½ cup of triple sec Fresh blueberries for garnish Serves 7-8 guests Directions 1. Mix all the ingredients, except the blueberries, in a pitcher. 2. Pour into an ice-filled strainer and fill martini glasses. 3. Drop in a few blueberries or add several to a cocktail pick. (For Halloween flare, I added a plastic witch finger and blueberries to my picks). Get It Done Even Faster • Buy drink mixtures that only require adding alcohol. For example, Stonewall Kitchen has a Pomegranate Cosmo Mixer that can be used for making three different kinds of drinks, including a non-alcoholic option. • Whatever you use as the base, make sure it has a dark reddish-purplish hue so it looks like blood. I hope these easy recipes and tips help you fix Halloween party food fast. Cheers to fun night and happy haunting!

When Halloween rolls around, fans of scary movies tune in to rewatch their favorites. We know them like the back of our hand, from who lives and dies to when the jump scares are coming. What we don't always know are the unique, notorious and even dubious stories surrounding these movies. Check out this mix of horror movie trivia from scary classics to new fan favorites that are as delicious as Halloween candy. Barrymore Breaks the Rules Drew Barrymore revealed some tasty insights about the movie "Scream" (1996) during an episode of her talk show in 2021. First, she was originally asked to play the lead character Sidney Prescott, but pushed instead for the role of Casey Becker. Barrymore knew Becker’s murder in the movie’s opening sequence would leave audiences stunned. The brutal killing of a believed main character, especially one played by a well-known star, broke all the “horror movie rules,” which is a major plot focus in “Scream.” Another fun fact is the connection between the 1983 Brain De Palma movie “Scarface” and the platinum wig Barrymore wore as Casey. Barrymore asked her wig maker to recreate Michelle Pfeiffer’s look as the character Elvira in "Scarface." Be a Crystal Lake Camper if You Dare The very first “Friday the 13th” movie takes place at the fictional Camp Crystal Lake. The real-life filming location is Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco (NOrth BErgen BOy SCOuts) in Hardwick, N.J. The 380+ acre camp is private property owned by the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) Northern New Jersey Council and they regularly host public events with a Crystal Lake/Friday the 13th theme. Activities range from canoeing and archery to tours of film locations and meet-n-greets with cast members. Not afraid of Jason coming out at night? The overnight events include a campfire, a “Friday the 13th” screening and sleeping in one of the cabins used in the movie. The camp was founded in 1927 and the events support its ongoing restoration and maintenance, as well as BSA camping programs. The camp maintains a website with information about its public events . An Unusual Film Debut in a Scary Classic The shower scene in “Psycho” is an amazing piece of filmmaking that’s still analyzed and discussed to this day. But, the shower wasn’t the only thing in the Bates Motel bathroom to make cinema history. In the film, the character Marion Crane, played by Janet Leigh, tears a note she’s written into pieces and flushes it down the toilet. This is the first time a flushing toilet ever appeared on screen. The flushing was tied to a major plot point, a fact Hitchcock used to get the scene approved by the censors. Deadly Dancing Doll is a World Champion The hugely successful movie “M3GAN” (2022) tells the story of a robotic doll that takes her role as a little girl’s friend to murderous levels. The scene of M3GAN’s creepy dance before grabbing a paper cutter blade and chasing down a victim caught the public’s attention and was mimicked across social media. The performer was Amie Donald, a 12-year-old New Zealand actress and dancer, who wore an animatronic M3GAN mask for the role. During publicity interviews for the movie, Donald attributed her ability to portray the robot’s precise and controlled movement to her dance training. She won a bronze and silver medal for her country at the 2019 Dance World Cup, a first for the country. In addition to Donald, other versions of M3GAN used in the film included numerous puppets and sometimes just parts, such as an upper torso or legs. The M3GANs were created by Adrien Morot, an Academy-award winning special-effects make up and p rosthetics artist, and make-up artist Kathy Tse. In case you’re wondering, M3GAN stands for Model 3 Generative ANdroid. No Pigs Were Harmed in the Making of this Film In Steven King’s book, “Carrie,” the main character is a telekinetic, tortured teen. At the prom, Carrie unleashes her powers after being victimized by bullying classmates who doused her with pig's blood. For Brain De Palma’s 1976 film adaptation, Sissy Spacek plays Carrie. She explained in a Yahoo Entertainment story (2018) that a warmed mixture of corn syrup and red food coloring was used for the pig’s blood. From chocolate blood, peanut butter blood and even blood so real it had to be remixed to look more artificial – filmmakers have to get pretty creative when it comes to making injury and death look believable. Check out " A Brief History of Fake Blood " by Slate (2017), for a deeper dive on how filmmakers evolved tricks and techniques to create bloody scenes in films such as "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957), "The Godfather" (1972) and more. See Sam on the Big Screen “Trick ‘R Treat” is a 2007 horror film that’s often found on watch lists when October rolls around, yet it only got a theatrical release in 2022. In fact, it initially went straight to video after a successful premiere on the film festival circuit. Why? No clear explanation. One theory, the execs at Warner Brothers were nervous after “Superman Returns” flopped, according to recent Screen Rant articles. Another possibility, the studio was unsure how to market the movie and its unique storytelling style. The film has garnered cult status and is in theaters again during October 2023. The movie, which has an 82% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, has all the right ingredients – an original story, excellent cast, great special effects make-up, jump scares, creepy sets, hair-raising suspense and a memorable looking mysterious character/villain (Sam). "Trick ‘R Treat" is also easily found on streaming platforms. And, remember to follow Halloween lore or tradition-stickler Sam might visit you! Too Much Soup For You In “The Exorcist” (1973) a young girl named Regan, played by Linda Blair, is possessed by a demon with very bad manners. Under the demon’s control, Regan’s head spins, she cusses out everyone, and spews green vomit into a priest’s face. Green pea soup is widely cited as the fake vomit, but the film’s director, William Friedkin, set the record straight in a 2008 Director’s Guild of America article saying: “Over the years, everyone refers to the vomit here as pea soup, but it was really porridge with pea soup coloring – it had a much better texture than pure pea soup.” Yuck! It’s no wonder movie theaters handed out barf bags, especially when the spewing came from Blair looking grotesque thanks to special effects makeup. The Original Scream Queen had a Beastly “Boyfriend” Fay Wray, whose character Ann Darrow was the object of King Kong’s affection in the classic 1933 movie, was dubbed a “scream queen” by entertainment writers at the time. And, its believed to be the first use of the title, making Wray the original scream queen. Although Wray let her scream rip in a series of scary pictures during the '30s, she’s best known for those captured on celluloid for “King Kong." The most famous scream is her very first one in the movie. In the scene, the character Carl Denham, the producer spearheading the ocean voyage to Skull Island to see Kong, asks Ann to pretend she sees the giant beast for the first time. After an emotional build up under Carl's direction, he shouts, "Scream, Ann! Scream for your life!" And, she let's it rip. Wray did the scene in one take. In 2016, Wray was interviewed by filmmaker and friend Rick McKay about her career. Of the famous scream, Wray didn't understand why hers was more famous than others. "I don't understand that really, exactly," she said. "But, I'll take it, if that serves to be something people appreciate." The Family That Screams Together, Stays Together Well, they didn’t technically scream in the same movie, but Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis reign supreme at the only mother-daughter scream queens. Leigh earned her crown for the shower scene in “Psycho” (1960). Curtis earned hers for screams throughout “Halloween” (1978) and subsequent roles in horror films. Curtis also starred as the character Dean Musch in “Scream Queens,” a dark-comedy television series about a university plagued with murders. In one episode, Curtis recreated her mother's iconic shower scene. Curtis shared her thoughts about the scene and the filmmaking tricks to make it during an interview at the Paley Center for Media in 2016. Be A Good Dog “Cujo” is the 1983 film adaptation of Stephen King’s book about a rabid dog terrorizing a mother and son. The role of Cujo was filled by numerous St. Bernards, a sweet and family-friendly breed. So friendly, in fact, that 7-year-old Danny Pintauro, the son character in the movie, wasn’t allowed to play with the dogs for fear they would wag their tail and be too excited around him during filming. Pintauro recounted his Cujo experience on the Behind the Velvet Rope podcast in 2022. Pintauro said Cujo’s rabid look was achieved with mustard and ketchup, which the dogs liked to lick off their face. In addition to real dogs, mechanical dogs and even men in dog suits were used for filming. Give Credit Where Credit is Due As the credits roll for John Carpenter's "Halloween" (1978), the Bowling Green Philharmonic Orchestra is listed as performing the haunting original music. In actuality, Carpenter wrote and performed it, but credited a fictitious group (the city didn't have an orchestra until 2000). This is among the many nods Carpenter gives to Bowling Green, K.Y., where he spent most of his youth. At age five, the filmmaker’s family moved to the small city when his father, Howard, joined the music faculty of Western Kentucky University (WKU). Carpenter references Bowling Green and the surrounding area in numerous films. For instance, Michael Myers escapes from the "Smith's Grove Warren County Sanitorium." No such facility exists, but Bowling Green is in Warren County and Smiths Grove (spelled differently) is a small community near to the city. For mega fans, see what inspired Carpenter first hand with " Reel Sites, Real Scary ," a self-guided tour by the The Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tour spots includes references made in Carpenter’s films, including “Halloween," "Halloween II" (1981) and "The Fog" (1980). Plus, time stamps for when references are made in each film. Additionally, the tour includes trivia and places important to Carpenter's life, such as WKU. The Carpenter family lived on campus in a historic log cabin, which still stands today, and John attended WKU for two years before transferring to University of Southern California to study film. Spooky Coincidence or Something Amidst Ryan Reynolds starred as George Lutz in the 2005 remake of “The Amityville Horror.” For those unfamiliar with the long backstory, it began in 1974 when Ronald DeFoe murdered six of his family members, including his mother and father, in his Amityville, N.Y., home. The murders took place at 3:15 a.m. In an interview with the online entertainment site, MovieWeb, Reynolds said numerous crew members woke up everyday at 3:15 a.m. exactly. Maybe it was the power of suggestion from hours with the script, but it wasn’t something made up to sell tickets, according to Reynolds. Horror Gets Some Respect “The Exorcist” (1973), often cited as the scariest movie of all time, was the first horror film to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture (it won the Golden Globe in the same category). The film was a box office smash and recognized with numerous awards and nominations. Of its 10 Oscars nominations, the only win went to William Peter Blatty for his adapted screenplay based on his 1971 book of the same name. Scary Flicks Join the Big League “Silence of the Lambs” (1991), the story of a FBI detective soliciting help from an imprisoned serial killer to find another one still on the loose, is the first horror film to win a Best Picture Academy Award. As of 2023, only six horror films have earned nominations in the category. The others include “The Exorcist” (1973), “Jaws” (1975), “Sixth Sense” (1999), “Black Swan” (2010), and “Get Out” (2017). Leaving Nothing to Chance Director James Wan is the force behind a horror-genre empire. Among his films are the hugely successful–and frightening–movies in the “Conjuring,” “Saw” and “Insidious” franchises. When it comes to his sets, Wan isn’t taking any chances. He regularly has a priest come and provide a blessing. Beam Me Up to Haddonfield The mask worn by the deranged killer Michael Myers in "Halloween" (1978) is so frightening it’s hard to believe it’s actually a mask of the beloved “Star Trek” character Captain Kirk. It’s widely known, the film’s production designer, Tommy Lee Wallace, bought the mask at a store on Hollywood Boulevard. He then enlarged the eyes, removed the eyebrows and sideburns, darkened the hair and painted it white. In my opinion, it’s those black eye holes that make the mask extra creepy. Wallace demonstrates how he made the mask and shares some Halloween stories in this 2014 YouTube video with writer and producer Sean Clark. In the video, Wallace refers to the mask as The Shape. This is because in the first film, the killer is listed in the credits as The Shape, not Michael Myers. Haunted House is Open for Business “The Conjuring” (2013) is based on the real life Perron family and their experiences after moving into a farmhouse in Burrillville, R.I., in 1971. The family claims the house, where they lived for 10 years, was haunted. The family enlisted the help of paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, portrayed in the film by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. The home is now in the hands of Jacqueline Nuñez, a spiritualist and real estate developer. The property is a destination for those interested in the paranormal. According to the website, you can tour the home, take part in investigations and even camp on the grounds. Interested? Check out the website . I "Vant" To Be A Record Holder Count Dracula joined the Guinness Book of World Record holders in 1992 as the character most often portrayed in horror films. In second place is Frankenstein's monster. And, in all those appearances, Count Dracula never said the often quoted line, "I vant to suck your blood." As explained in a 2019 PBS News Hour article and numerous other sources, the phrase was never said on film. The pronunciation plays off the heavy Hungarian accent of Bela Lugosi, who famously portrayed Dracula on stage in the 1920s and then on screen in the 1930s and '40s. Feed Me My Line Again: Horror Movie Trivia Quotes The American Film Institute’s top 100 movie quotes includes a number from spooky movies. Here are the quotes and the characters who said them. #21 Silence of the Lambs (1991) “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.” -Dr. Hannibal Lecter #35 Jaws (1975) “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” -Sheriff Martin Brody #44 The Sixth Sense (1999) “I see dead people.” -Cole Sear #49 Frankenstein (1931) “It's alive! It's alive!” -Mad Scientist Henry Frankenstein #56 Psycho (1960) “A boy’s best friend is his mother.” -Norman Bates #68 The Shining (1980) “Here’s Johnny” -Jack Torrance #69 Poltergeist (1982) “They’re here.” -Carol Anne #83 Dracula (1931) “Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make.” -Count Dracula #84 King Kong (1933) “Oh, no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty that killed the beast.” -Carl Denham

San Sebastián, a unique jewel of Spain’s Northern coast, boasts stunning natural beauty, exceptional gastronomy and a dynamic cultural scene. San Sebastián is a smaller city (population under 200,000) in the Basque region of Spain. From the flying of the Basque flag to culinary traditions, this heritage is a source of pride and ever-present culturally providing unique experiences for all who visit.  Palms trees, manicured plazas, topiaries overflowing with flowers and beautiful Belle Époque architecture are hallmarks of San Sebastián. For travelers, this seaside city is safe, clean and friendly. It’s also walkable with its most scenic views and popular things to do close together. So, let’s break down why you need San Sebastián, Spain, on your bucket list. La Concha Beach and Bay The pearl of San Sebastián is the famous La Concha Beach , widely ranked one of the most beautiful urban beaches in the world. La Concha has a grand and glamorous air that’s simultaneously relaxing and exciting. The beach’s curved shoreline forms its iconic shell shape, hence the name La Concha, which translates to “The Shell.”  The Atlantic Ocean waters of Biscay Bay flow into the Bay of La Concha creating gentle waves perfect for surfing, swimming and boating. The beach is just under a mile long with soft sand that’s meticulously maintained by the city (groomed each morning).  La Concha, located in San Sebastián’s city center, connects to Ondarreta Beac h in the Antiguo neighborhood. Together these beaches extend the curved shoreline for a total length of approximately 1.2 miles from the tree-covered hills of Mount Urgall on one end and Mount Igueldo on the other, hugging the entirety of La Concha Bay.  Although a small rock outcropping separates the La Concha and Ondarreta beaches, it's possible to walk the entire length of the bay thanks to a large tunnel that’s beautifully painted with an ocean-inspired motif.   Between Mount Urgall and Mount Igueldo, right in the middle of the bay is Santa Clara Island . Once home to a lighthouse keeper, today the island is a day-time destination for picnicking, hiking and enjoying the water.  The steep forested hills, bright blue water and sandy shores of La Concha Bay offer a stunning vista. It's no wonder the Spanish royal family built their summer residence, Miramar Palace, on a small hilltop rising up from the bay’s shore in the late 1800s. The former summer residence is now a cultural center hosting special community events.  Almost as iconic as La Concha Beach is the wide, plaza promenade featuring an ornate, white iron railing from the early 1900s that follows its shoreline. Beautiful historic hotels and residences line the promenade that’s filled with activity - diners at outdoor cafes, couples strolling hand-in-hand, joggers and leisure bicycle riders. Plus, outdoor sculptures by acclaimed artists, classic architecture and colorful landscaping. The heady atmosphere is jovial, romantic and beautiful.  The beach is only steps away thanks to short staircases and ramps that lead down from the promenade.  Travel Tips • La Concha and Ondarreta are free public beaches.  • Restrooms, lockers and showers are available. Some facilities require a fee. • La Concha beach is well lit at night so people often sit on the sand or walk along the water in the evening. People are always around on the beach or the plaza promenade. Night swimming is not encouraged, however. • Santa Clara Island is accessible by a shuttle boat. People also can swim out to the island. • Visit here for more details on visiting La Concha beach. Culinary Scene  If you’re a foodie, your tastebuds will rejoice in San Sebastián. Considered one of the world’s culinary capitals, the scene is rooted in the Basque cooking tradition  and taps into the area’s abundance of fresh seafood, meat and produce. The city has the highest concentration of Michelin star restaurants than anywhere else in the world, but exceptional food extends beyond fine dining experiences to include traditional pintxos. Hundreds of restaurants and bars prepare delicious, high-quality single bites known as pintxos  (pronounced “PEEN-chos”). Pintxos originated in San Sebastián in the early 1900s and is the Basque region’s version of tapas except the food is served as one bite and usually eaten while standing up. Traditionally, these single bites are held together with a toothpick or small skewer. Each pintxo being a true single bite is liberally interpreted these days though.  The tradition of pintxos is to promote socializing and community. People pop into a pintxos bar, order a drink, eat a bite or two, visit with those around them and then move on to the next place and so on. It’s a food version of a pub crawl. Pintxos are commonly enjoyed with local ciders and Basque wines, such as a Txakoli (dry white wine) or a Riojo  (red wine).  If you’d rather sit and eat, there are plenty of options for that, too. Many of the restaurants have both sit down service and pintxos.  Leave room for dessert, especially a slice of Basque cheesecake! Unlike New York style, Basque cheesecake is crustless and much creamier. This special treat is baked at a high temperature causing caramelization for a distinctive cracked, burnt appearance on the cheesecake's exterior. Interested in pintxos and some cheesecake? Then head straight for historic Old Town, the heart and soul of pintxos in San Sebastián. The area is always lively as laughter and voices bounce off the stonewalls of centuries-old buildings while people gather around high top tables enjoying pintxos.  TN&G’s Favorite Old Town Places to Eat and their Specialties Some places are pure, traditional pintxos bars with stand up dining only. Others offer a combo or are a traditional restaurant with pintxos on the menu. Pretty much every place will have a delicious ham croquette and probably a potato omelete on the menu. Both are practically food staples in Spain.  • La Cuchara de San Telmo - octopus; stewed beef cheek • Antonio Boulevard - king prawn ravioli; crispy beef oxtail. It's not pintxos, but the raspberry gazpacho is yummy, too. (Great outdoor table area overlooking an active thoroughfare/urban park area). • Bar Sport - mushroom croquette; grilled foie gras (may see name listed simply as "Sport") • Atari - king prawn tails; calamari with aioli (nice location near Santa Maria Cathedral where lots of people gather on the steps and the small plaza). • Restaurant Ubarrechena - crispy fried egg with bacon and potato  • La Viña - basque cheesecake (invented the recipe!) Travel Tips • Get the App! Download “Pintxos” and have the perfect guide for finding what your tastebuds will enjoy. The app details individual pintxos bars, including specialties, chef profiles and tasting routes. The app also includes information on operating hours and links to each bar's social media and website. • Throughout Spain businesses, including restaurants close during the traditional afternoon siesta. Don’t fear, there are plenty of places that stay open to accommodate travelers from regions that don’t observe siestas. • Spaniards typically have late dinners and enjoy socializing well into the evening. Again, this is reflected in the operating hours of bars and restaurants.  • Try the croquettes, especially ham. Croquettes are deep-fried with a crispy breadcrumb coating. Filling ingredients are combined with a creamy béchamel sauce. • Iberian ham is hugely popular across Spain. This artisan, dry cured meat is from the legs of Black Iberian pigs from the Iberian Peninsula, which is Spain and Portugal combined. The deep red and marbled ham is extra tender and flavorful. Old Town and Mount Urgall Old Town is just steps from one end of La Concha Beach and a hub not just for pintxos, but also for shopping and enjoying historic sites, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria . Old Town’s charming and narrow cobblestone streets, common in European historic districts, are always perfect for meandering and letting time and deadlines fade from your thoughts. Gelato  shops are commonplace in Old Town, so stop in for a sweet treat and get “lost” for a little while. If you head northward, the stone street next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria will transition to steep steps and a path that winds up the forested Mount Urgall  to  Castle La Mota , a 12th century military fortress. The climb to La Mota is particularly steep and will take about 20-to-30 mins, but the pay off is worth it — the view of La Concha Bay and San Sebastian from the fortress is beautiful. From this high vantage point you can appreciate the bay’s unique shell shape, the blue-green water and the changing topography from steep hills to sandy beaches.  After snapping pics of those views, explore Castle La Mota. Mount Urgall is located at the mouth of La Concha Bay providing the fortress an ideal defensive position. The former fortress  is spread across multiple levels and still has its ramparts and canons. Atop the fortress is a huge statue of Jesus Christ, the “ Sagrado Corazón ” (“Scared Heart”). Built in 1950, the monument stands approximately 40 feet and serves as a San Sebastián landmark. When illuminated at night the statue seems to almost float above the city since it's surrounded by the darkness of Mount Urgall’s woods. Not interested in a steep hike up Mount Urgall? Another scenic route is around Mount Urgall’s perimeter.  Steps near the Port of San Sebastián  lead to a wide walkway, the Paseo Nuevo , that will take you past the city’s aquarium , anchored yachts and sailboats, a large outdoor sculpture and then continue all the way around to the other side of Mount Urgall. As you walk, you leave La Concha Bay and move into the Biscay Bay  area.  The walkway is well above sea level providing scenic views and cool breezes. Imposing stone walls stretch down to the water where waves crash against it. Along the walkway people are fishing (with extra looong lines!), jogging, and taking pictures.  The outdoor sculpture, “ Construcción Vacía ” (“Empty Construction”) by Jorge Oteiza is a large, angular steel piece that’s an interesting contrast to the sea and hill on either side. Shopping   In addition to restaurants, Old Town is a wonderful destination for finding specialty gifts. Nestled among the historic buildings are small shops with gourmet foods, confections, original art, clothing and handcrafted items.  Old Town and the City Center meld into one another and the shopping transitions into high end department stores with luxury brands to specialty clothing boutiques and everything in between. A particularly wonderful store is Benegas Perfumeria . A family-owned business that stretches back four generations. In addition to selling well-known brands such as Chanel and Dior, Benegas formulates and sells its own scents as colognes, candles and bath products. They also feature a line of specialty shaving items. Mount Igueldo   Opposite of Mount Urgall is Mount Igueldo . Like its sibling across the bay, Mount Igueldo is tall and tree covered, but that’s where the similarities end. Mount Igueldo is dotted with residences and its summit includes an amusement park, upscale hotel, restaurant and historic lighthouse. The summit is reachable by car and walking (don’t recommend), but the most enjoyable way is by funicular , a cog railway that began operations in the early 1900s. Frankly, I was excited about riding the funicular, yet skeptical about what awaited at the top. An amusement park — how does that fit with the beauty and luxury of La Concha Beach?  Well, it does. It’s quaint and charming. The funicular began carrying people up Mount Igeuldo in 1911. For over 100 years, the summit has served as a sought after entertainment destination featuring amusement rides, dining and formerly a casino and ballroom.  It’s worth the trip up the hill just for the funicular experience, the incredible views, and a ride on the “ Mysterious River ” attraction. For a unique way to see the bay, hop aboard The Mysterious River ride, which are little boats that travel along a water-filled concrete channel on the hill's steep edge. It's a joyful experience and the views of the bay are gorgeous. Throughout the summit are lookout points for breathtaking views of La Concha and Biscay bays. Hands down, the best view of La Concha bay is from Mount Igeuldo (Mount Urgall’s views are partially obstructed by trees). The amusement park is small with rides and games mostly geared toward families with young children. Although, there is a concrete roller coaster with one section that’s on the edge of the hill overlooking the steep ocean cliffs of Biscay Bay. Another popular activity is to enjoy pintxos from the Nueve Leguas restaurant  and sit on the deck facing La Concha Bay. For a little refinement, order a drink at the lounge bar inside the upscale Hotel Mount Igueldo , which is part of the Mercure hotel collection. Just beyond the lobby, this large lounge is adorned with tasteful, modern decor and lined with floor-to-ceiling window panels. Settle into one of the oversized, comfortable leather chairs and relax while gazing at the ocean devoid of nautical traffic. Just miles and miles of blue-green water and the occasional sailboat or two. There’s also access to an outdoor deck if you want to enjoy the breeze.   At the base of Mount Urgall where the walkway dead ends at the mouth of the bay is a must-see art installation, “ Peine del Viento ” (“Wind Comb”) by famed Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida and architect Luis Pena Ganchegui.  Wind Comb is three abstract steel sculptures embedded into large rocks. They are unique as individual pieces, but also work together as a singular piece, yet how they work together varies based on where you stand to observe them. Water crashes around the rocks for a dramatic imagery. Travel Tips • There is no fee to enter the park. Pay per ride. • Funicular makes a trip every 15 minutes. Tickets prices vary based on age and if making a round trip or not. Purchase at the station. • There is a small fee to drive a car up Mount Igueldo.   • The funicular is not adaptable to wheelchairs. • For more details, visit official website . What Else is there to Do? The San Sebastián Tourism website has links to numerous activities and museums across the city and just outside its walls. Here are some TN&G suggests: • Just beyond Old Town, walk over to where the Urumea River flows out to sea and cross the Puente de Zurriola bridge . With its beautiful promenade featuring tall green and white lamposts, Zurriola is one of the series of bridges that cross the river as it winds through San Sebastián. • San Sebastián hosts numerous festivals and special events. Notable ones include the Semana Grand (Big Week) in August, a multi-day, long celebration of food, music and an international fireworks competition. And, The Flag of La Concha regatta races on the bay. Held the first two Sundays in September, thousands of fans turn out to support as their community team in rowing competitions that connect to the region’s fishing boat history. • For the ultimate in health and beauty, schedule an appointment at La Perla . Located on La Concha beach, La Perla specializes in a range of services, including thalassotherapy treatments that use algae, saltwater and other gifts from the ocean. La Perla also has terrace restaurants with beautiful bay views. • Mount Iguello offers the best view of the entire bay, but if you don’t want to venture that far upward, TN&G’s pick is   Miramar Palace . Situated on a small hill overlooking the bay, the palace grounds and gardens are open to the public for exploring. The front lawn is an ideal spot for a picnic or to just hang out and relax for a little while. • Interested in seeing another piece of Chillida’s work? A granite sculpture by the artist is along the La Concha promenade. There is also the Chillida Leku Museum , an outdoor museum/sculpture park of his work that's about a 15 minute drive outside of San Sebastian. When to Visit, Where to Stay and More Travel Tips • The shoulder season months of early June and September are ideal for milder weather and less people. • August is the busiest month (holiday time for Spaniards) so expect crowded beaches.  • October – December is San Sebastián’s rainy season. • The bay water is at its warmest in August. Generally, the water is cool.  • Don’t be confused by signs that read  “Donostia-San Sebastián.” Donostia is the Basque word for San Sebastián. Although Spanish is widely spoken, the region still embraces the Basque language.  • If you can, stay in one of the beachfront hotels (in a waterview room) that’s just a short walk to the best features of San Sebastián. TN&G highly recommends the historic Hotel Londres  for its elegance, exceptional service and ideal location. Another well-regarded beachfront option is Villa Favorita .  • For more details about San Sebastián beyond the La Concha Bay area, visit the city's tourism department website .

When my family said they wanted to visit the Churchill War Rooms , I thought, “Hmmm, maybe I’ll sleep in that morning.” Well, I didn’t and I’m glad. I’m not a huge history buff, so I thought I’d bore quickly during the self-guided audio tour. Just the opposite! This underground bunker for Winston Churchill, his staff and advisors during WWII was unlike any museum I’ve ever visited. The tour takes you throughout the living and working areas of the bunker. Highlights include Churchill's sleeping quarters with its single bed and desk, the secretarial area with a silent typewriter (Churchill couldn't tolerate the clattering noise) and the map room where the positions of British forces and foes were noted with pushpins on huge paper maps lining the room. These areas are untouched by time and look as they did years ago except for the uniformed mannequins placed throughout. In the middle of the bunker is a large, modern exhibit room detailing Churchill’s life. The room is dark and the lighting design adds an interesting feel to all the artifacts. One cleverly designed display was an arrangement of Churchill’s hats. Not only did Churchill enjoy wearing hats, but also used them in a costume-like manner, designed to convey a particular public image. He knew a thing or two about personal PR! In addition to his exceptional intellect and motivating leadership, the museum also highlights Churchill’s creative talents. He was a gifted and prolific writer who reported from the front lines as a young war correspondent, penned volumes of books and crafted speeches that rank among the most powerful in history. He was also a talented artist who especially enjoyed painting landscapes. Although just a joyful hobby throughout Churchill's adult life, his work now fetches millions. As reported in the New York Times, actor Brad Pitt bought a Churchill painting in 2011 for $2.9 million as a gift for his then-wife, actress Angelina Jolie. Flash forward, the romance is over and she sold the painting at Christie’s in 2021 for around $11.5 million. That’s one way to stick it to an ex. At the end of the War Rooms tour, like every attraction, is a gift shop. I can honestly say the items for sale rank among the best I’ve seen at a tourist spot. There is a large selection of high-quality books (no surprise), but what I enjoyed the most was the use of vintage propaganda imagery. My favorite was the phrase “Keep Mum She’s Not So Dumb !” blazon across a poster featuring a blonde surrounded by military men. No cocktail or pillow talk secrets around her, she could be a spy. Got to love some retro kitsch! With its wealth of information, a visit to the Churchill War Rooms is a London must see attraction for history and non-history buffs alike. The overall experience digs deep into Churchill’s life revealing his multifaceted persona while also successfully portraying work and life in the bunker. Tickets , which range from £15 - £30 (about $29-$35) for ages 5 and up, are available at the door, but play it safe and book a time slot ahead of time as lines, or queues as the Brits like to say, can get long. Guided tours for small groups are available for an additional price are offered before regular museum hours several times a week. For an even more immersed experience and a much bigger ticket price, the museum offers "behind the glass" private tours that allow you to walk around the spaces off limits to regular visitors.

It’s hard not to love Edinburgh, Scotland. The people are friendly, it's easy to get around and the blend of old and new is fascinating. This bustling capital city is divided between Old Town with its medieval history and New Town with its evolution from the 18th century to now. Plus, there’s a long coastline and green hills and expanses. Edinburgh sits on the remains of a 350-million-year-old volcanic island. And, with glacial erosion and time, the ancient volcanic formations led to the city’s current hilly and craggy topography. The result is a striking and unique landscape. The city's skyline includes an interesting mix of architecture from medieval to the modern. Landmarks include the Parliament building, Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace, the Balmoral Hotel clock tower and the Scott Monument. Plus, there's the variety of monuments, parks, homes, and shops you'd expect to find in a cityscape. Dare I mention the controversial W hotel with its modern, rounded ribbon design that some akin to a giant poo emoji? Decide for yourself! Get your camera ready and head to these spots in Edinburgh for the best views of the city and surrounding communities. Edinburgh Castle As you ride into the city, the view of Edinburgh Castle perched high above everything else is an incredible site. You immediately understand the castle’s strategic position and imagine soldiers toiling in vain to scale the hill’s steep, rocky face. The castle sits 430 feet above sea level at the summit of Castle Rock, a volcanic plug. The views from the castle grounds are amazing. You can see all the way to the coastline and appreciate the unique cityscape below. The height of Castle Rock adds to the intrigue of castle life. You can’t help but think about the protection it provided royalty, the effectiveness of cannons positioned in their embrasures and the despair of prisoners trying to see the world below through tiny slits in the prison courtyard walls. Touring the castle is a must for anyone visiting Edinburgh. In addition to the expansive views from all sides, you’ll see the crown jewels, artifacts, royal apartments, prison quarters, the grand ballroom, the National War Memorial and more. The castle opens daily at 9:30 a.m. and closes either at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. depending on the month. Last entry is always one hour before closing. The castle is closed on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26. A ticket is required to visit the castle. Walk-up tickets are available, but during busy tourist seasons, such as the summer, its best to buy them in advance. Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags Writer and Edinburgh native Robert Louis Stevenson described Arthur’s Seat as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design." Arthur’s Seat rises 823 feet above sea level. It's the highest point in Edinburgh and among the ancient volcanic hills of Holyrood Park. Holyrood Park is near one end of The Royal Mile, a road that stretches between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This active royal residence for King Charles III is also called Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Palace. The 640 acres of Holyrood Park are adjacent to the palace. The park features well-established paths for walking among the hills. The trek to Arthur’s seat will take about two hours, but its not too strenuous. The reward – spectacular views. If you don’t have the time or energy to hike all the way up, the other elevations in the park offer nice views, as well. The park's Salisbury Crags are about 570 feet above sea level. The steep cliffs of the crags are geologically striking and easier to get to than Arthur's Seat. Even if you don't trek up the hills, a short walk into the park will immerse you into the beautiful, rolling landscape of rocks, grasses and yellow blooms. Fun fact, no one knows for certain the origins of the name Arthur’s Seat. One popular theory centers on King Arthur and Camelot. Calton Hill Calton Hill is an ancient volcano and a fantastic spot for panoramic views. It offers some of the best views of the city and the surrounding areas. It’s a steep walk to the top, but you’ll be rewarded with clear views practically everywhere you stand. And, it's a lot faster to get to than Arthur's Seat (about 10 to 15 minutes versus two hours). Personally, I think Calton Hill offers the best views across the Firth of Forth estuary, which is between Edinburgh and the North Sea. The park-like beauty of Carlton Hill is also the perfect spot to appreciate the impressive hills of Holyrood Park, which make the neighboring Parliament and Holyrood Palace, look diminutive in comparison. The top of Calton Hill is a spacious area with gently sloping, grassy lawns perfect for picnics and relaxing. The hill is home to a collection of historic monuments and structures, including the National Monument, which was inspired by the Parthenon. The tall, tubular-shaped Nelson Monument is one of the hill's most recognizable landmarks and easily seen from the city streets below. The historic City Observatory building was once actively used for astrological purposes. Today, the section around the City Observatory building is part an artist-run initiative called the Collective . The observatory and adjacent City Dome building are used for contemporary art exhibits. In addition the observatory building, the Collective includes The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage , an upscale dinner spot praised for its farm-to-table food and, of course, the views! There's also a food kiosk located near the gallery and the Observatory House , which is available for lodging. Observer's Walk is a series of artist-created audio guides commissioned by the Collective. The guides are available online and intended for listening to while visiting Calton Hill. The Collective is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no parking at the top of Calton Hill, except for people with mobility issues. But, cars and taxis can drive up the hill to pick up and drop off riders. Fun fact, if you’re walking to Calton Hill from the Holyroodhouse Palace area, your directions will likely take you to Jacob’s Ladder, which was once a shortcut for funeral processions. Be prepared for a glute workout because Jacob’s Ladder is an extremely steep, stone staircase of 140 steps carved into volcanic rock. Royal Botanic Garden Field of poppies at the Royal Botanic Garden The Royal Botanic Garden is spread over 72 acres and home to one of the most extensive plant collections in the world. The garden, about a mile from Edinburgh's city center, is a tranquil and beautiful oasis. For views of the city’s skyline, wander through the lush grounds to the highest point of the Rock Garden. Through breaks in the tree line are views in different directions across the city. In all fairness, skyline views from the garden are not as impressive as other locations in this list. But, the gardens are gorgeous and worth seeing. The Rock Garden, for example, includes around 5,000 species of plants, a waterfall and stream. Other areas to explore include the Chinese Hillside, Arboretum, Scottish Plant Collection, the Rhododendron Collection and the Woodland Garden. This is truly one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen. I especially enjoyed the Rock Garden waterfall and the Chinese Pavilion. Sitting outside among the beautiful landscape eating a slice of cake from the onsite Terrace Cafe was also a highlight. A perfect outing! The garden is free and opens daily at 10 a.m. Closing times vary from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. depending on the month. The last entry is always 45 minutes before closing. The gardens are closed on Dec. 25, Jan. 1, and in extreme weather. The Scott Monument Sir Walter Scott Monument The Scott Monument is a gothic, tower-like structure built in honor of Scottish writer Sir Walter Raleigh. The monument is just over 200 feet tall and has three levels of open-air viewing platforms, each with 360-degree views. The monument, located in Princess Street Gardens, is in the heart of Edinburgh and one of the busiest sections of the city. It stands in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle and where Old Town and New Town meet. Fun fact, the nearby Waverley Train Station is named after one of Scott's novels. The monument is open everyday at 10 a.m. and the last tour is at 4:30 p.m. The monument closes for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Tickets are purchased upon arrival and no reservations are available. For more information, visit the monument's website . Final Tip Edinburgh is compact and easy to navigate, especially the city's center. It's also hilly, so keep that in mind. It's an easy walk (downhill) from Edinburgh Castle to the Holyrood Park and from there to nearby Calton Hill. The Royal Botanic Gardens are a little further out so catch a black cab or Uber. We only used Uber once because the black cabs and buses are clean, comfortable and abundant. Happy exploring!

"Jaws," a movie so perfect it thrills audiences today as much as it did in 1975, turned 50 this summer. Anniversary celebrations across the country include your chance to experience "Jaws" on the big screen in IMAX, 4DX and other enhanced formats in select Regal theaters from Aug. 29 – Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend).  One of the mechanical sharks used in "Jaws" at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Among the viewing options for the "Jaws" re-release, the most advanced and thrilling is 4DX. Considered the latest theater viewing experience, 4DX is a step beyond the immersiveness of IMAX to include multisensory effects timed perfectly to what’s happening on screen. Imagine feeling air across your face just as the wind blows or your seat vibrating while a boat motors out to sea. Get ready for the special glasses! Regal will also offer RealD 3D showings, which utilizes special projection technology to transform a traditional 2D film into 3D. Or, see "Jaws" in RPX, a premium experience using a larger screen, advanced digital projectors and enhanced sound. If old school is your style, Regal is offering traditional 2D showings, as well. Exhibits and Other "Jaws" 5oth Anniversary Celebrations   The big screen re-release is just one of numerous high profile ways "Jaws" is being celebrated this year including: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures -"Jaws" was not only a mega hit, but also an academy award winner, hugely influential on the film industry and part of an important time in filmmaking. The 1970s marked a new era with young filmmakers like Spielberg and his friends, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma and Francis Ford Coppola, bringing a realism to the screen unlike anything that came before it.  For these reasons, it's not surprising the "Jaws" 50th anniversary is worthy of special attention by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (they give out the Oscars).  " Jaws: The Exhibition " is a large-scale exhibit showing at the academy's museum in Los Angeles from Sept. 14, 2025 – July 26, 2026. The event marks two firsts for the museum: it's largest exhibit dedicated to a single film and the largest exhibit ever curated about "Jaws."  Visitors can expect to see rare and special items since the museum's curators were granted special access to the personal collections and archives of Spielberg, his production company and NBCUniversal. If you miss the exhibit, but visit the academy museum at another time, you can still see the last surviving mechanical shark used in the movie. Once headed for the junk pile, this version of Bruce — as the shark was nicknamed — was restored and now hangs from the museum’s ceiling for all to see as they move from floor-to-floor.  New Documentary on "Jaws" Now Streaming - "Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story," which first premiered on National Geographic channel, is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+ This wonderful deep dive by director Laurent Bouzereau is actually built upon his 1995 documentary, "The Making of Jaws,” but updated and filled with new content.   In my opinion, "Jaws @ 50" is the best documentary to date about the movie. It offers a complete look at the movie’s origin, cultural impact and relevance today. The documentary starts at the beginning with how Peter Benchley, who wrote the novel "Jaws" and the movie's screenplay, was influenced by his life in Nantucket and fishing off its shores. The documentary skillfully journeys through the nuts and bolts of making the film, which was notoriously difficult. Best of all, the documentary includes new interviews with Spielberg and members of his crew and cast, including the actor who played the little Kintner boy! Featured throughout the documentary are past interviews with crucial members of Spielberg’s team and others in the movie industry who were impacted by “Jaws.”  The documentary also includes shark experts who talk about the realism of the movie and its impact from the terrible (shark hunting) to the wonderful (raised awareness about the vital role great white sharks play in maintaining a natural balance in the oceans). Martha’s Vineyard  - Much of the film was shot on location in Martha’s Vineyard, which served as the movie’s fictional Amity Island. The town is hosting special screenings, concerts, and a series of other events throughout the summer. For more details, visit the town's official site . Universal theme parks in Hollywood and Orlando  - Interested in a mug with a quote from the movie? Or, how about a bucket hat like ones Amity Islanders might have worn? "Jaws" fans can expect these and more themed merchandise at both parks during the summer. Plus, both parks have a "Jaws" float in their daily parade, themed dining experiences and other related entertainment. For instance, Universal Orlando includes music from "Jaws" in its nightly Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular show. As part of Universal Hollywood's Mega Movie Summer, the park's Hollywood & Dine restaurant is now Amity Island Cafe serving lobster rolls and other food inspired by the movie. There is no longer a "Jaws" ride at Universal Orlando, but Universal Hollywood still features the movie during its backlot studio tour. Be prepared for Bruce to pop up and say, "hello!" For more details on "Jaws"-related activities in both parks, visit the Universal blog site . "Jaws" 50th Anniversary is Worth Celebrating You may be asking yourself why the anniversary of a shark horror movie is a big deal deserving of a re-release with technological bells and whistles, exhibits and city-wide celebrations. Well, the original "Jaws" was a big deal. It was a cultural touchpoint – the first summer blockbuster (and the origin of the phrase) and a significant part in filmmaking history. As a movie, "Jaws" is perfect — or at least near perfect — and why it's still just as riveting and entertaining today as it was 50 years ago. This isn’t just my opinion— the experts in the film world agree. Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderberg, James Cameron, and Jordan Peele were inspired by the film and use words like “masterpiece” and “perfect” to describe it in Bouzereau's documentary. "Jaws" reaches perfection on all levels. Most of all, its due to Spielberg's amazing filmmaking, especially his ability to capture an audience and take them on an intimate journey. Like Alfred Hitchcock, the master whose influence is seen throughout the film, Spielberg knows how to frame a scene to build emotion and just how much to show or not show the audience, which allows their minds to fill in the terrifying gaps. Plus, there all of the special, relatable moments that are a hallmark of Spielberg's work. These scenes help us believe the imaginary characters are real and not so different than us. My favorite is the kitchen table scene between Brody and his little boy. The writing in "Jaws" is exceptional from Benchley’s work to the story Quint tells of a terrifying night surrounded by sharks after the U.S.S Indianapolis sank. The speech was written by screenwriter Jon Milius ("Apocalypse Now") and refined by actor and playwright Robert Shaw, who brought the sea-worn character, Quint, to life. Like all well-done movies, the incredible actors portrayed their characters with such believability that we root for the hero, despise the villain and cry for the hurt. There's a deep understanding and representation of human nature throughout the performances. It's why we grieve for the Kintner boy’s mother and understand Brody's guilt over the boy's death. For an added touch of realism, Spielberg wisely used locals from Martha's Vineyard among the supporting actors and extras in the film. In addition to the actors, was the incredible work by all of Spielberg's team — the crew shooting on location in the ocean, special effects artists building and operating a mechanical shark (that could actually work in an ocean), John Williams composing a hauntingly perfect score, shark experts and documentarians who consulted and shot footage of real sharks, and so much more. As an audience member, all of these factors meld flawlessly making "Jaws" one of those movies you can watch over and over and never tire. You experience a roller coaster of emotions every time. You know that head will appear in the sunken boat, yet you still jump. You know the Orca doesn't sink and Brody survives, yet you still worry as he shoots at the air canister in the shark's mouth to blow it up. And, of course, the music by Williams is so well known it's part of our shared cultural fabric. This is especially true of those two simple notes, commonly called “dun-dun." They show up in TV shows and other movies, but when they plays in "Jaws" it never ceases to strike fear and anticipatory nervousness in us knowing it means the blood-hungry shark is near unsuspecting humans. Movie making is a complex process, a creative puzzle that provides wonderful, enduring entertainment when all the pieces fit together just right. In "Jaws" they certainly do. Whether you celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Jaws" with a viewing on your home's little screen or in a 4DX theater, enjoy the ride and here's hoping none of us ever has to say, "You're gonna need a bigger boat."

Put down the loppers and step away from the crepe myrtles. PLEASE! Every season across America’s lawns and landscapes, these beautiful trees are the poor, unsuspecting victims of a "crime" dubbed Crepe Murder .  Although well intended, when the whiff of impending Spring is in the air, excited homeowners severely cut back crepe myrtles thinking they are helping the trees when in actuality, it’s the worst thing to do.  Instead of healthy trees with strong, bloom-filled branches, murdered crepe myrtles are stumpy with weak, dropping branches and large, arthritic-looking knots where repeated cuts have occurred.  Poor trees. They’re just resting all winter in a dormant stage and just when it’s about time to wake up and push out new growth and vibrant, beautiful blooms, they're hacked on with reckless abandon. It’s the gardening version of a horror movie. Mother nature designed crepe myrtles (often spelled crape myrtle outside the Southern regions) to grow in an almost perfect, open “V.” The tree grows up and slightly out with branches like outstretched arms to the sky. The branches are sturdy and easily keep heavy blooms upright.  This natural growth pattern allows air and sunlight to reach all parts of the tree, which helps prevent disease. Like most trees, crepe myrtles are low maintenance. Sure, they need some care, but not extreme pruning.  Why Severe Pruning is Bad for Crepe Myrtles Topping, which is severe pruning to remove the entire top of a tree, is harmful to all trees. Crepe myrtles struggle after topping for the following reasons: • Stresses the trees as they struggle to recover and rebound  • Makes the trees more susceptible to disease • New growth branches are weak, sag and easily break (branches should not drape way over like a weeping willow tree) • Delays blooming and shortens the total blooming time • Unattractive, unnatural looking trees with stumpy trunks and branches with knot clusters where annual cuts have occurred. *Images Left to Right from: N.C. Cooperative Extension Pender County and Henderson County Why Crepe Murder Happens The Crepe Murder crime spree is driven by two basic causes:  1) Misinformed Homeowner Assumption – A.K.A., ‘The neighbors are doing it, so that must be the right thing to do.’ Resist the temptation to follow suit! If your neighbor was topping off their dogwoods, oaks and elms would you do that, too? Nope. There is nothing unique about crepe myrtles versus any other tree that justifies topping. 2) Miscalculated Planting – Too often homeowners and builders plant trees, such as crepe myrtles, in spaces where they look good at the moment, but don’t factor in growth.  Within a few years, the trees have outgrown their space and are too close to a home or building, which causes problems aesthetically and physically (clogs cutters, impacts drainage, promotes structural mold/mildew growth, etc.).  Handling this latter problem actually requires either completely removing trees, digging up the trees and replanting them further from the structure or a drastic measure called reduction pruning. How To Safely Prune a Crepe Myrtle This is not to say crepe myrtles don’t need care. Of course, they do. But, that care is restrained and done in a way to enhance the tree's growth and natural shape. Some basic care tips include: • Prune in late February or early March before flower buds form (buds for the tree's summer blooms form on new spring growth). This is also the best time to easily see the overall shape of the tree since it's bare with no leaves. • Remove suckers from around the base of the tree. Otherwise, these new, baby branches will grow into new trunks. • Remove any low-growing side branches that are 1-3 feet from the ground. These are not main branches that will grow up and out. • Remove any branches that are dead or diseased.  • Selectively remove any branches that are growing inward towards the center of the tree (these can interfere with the growth of other branches) and/or have a strange shape and detract from the tree's overall shape. Damage from a branch allowed to grow across the center of a Crepe Myrtle tree N.C. State University's Cooperative Extension website has more detailed specifics about crepe myrtle care, including helpful pictures. Tips include how to determine what to prune, how to cut branches properly, what to do if a tree has outgrown its space and much more. Cooperative Extension Agents Can Help The USDA’s Cooperative Extension is a network of land-grant universities and colleges across the U.S. that provide resources, research, education and services to the public through county-based extension offices.  These colleges and universities share resources with extension staff who work locally with communities in every state. Can't figure out what’s causing sections of your grass to die? Contact the local extension office in your county for soil testing. Not sure what’s causing spots on the leaves of your favorite ornamental plant? Let a local extension agent check it out.  The expertise of local extension agents runs the gamut so you’ll surely find answers to your questions. Extension resources are ABUNDANT and typically free. To find your local extension office check here for links to extension services in every state. If you have already committed crepe murder, don't fear, there are solutions. Reach out to your local extension agent to find about local resources and advice. Daniel J. Leonard, an extension director with the University of Florida system, offered good advice in this 2018 article. If you need a tree-care expert, read this article for tips on hiring a certified arborist and other tree professionals by Sarah Christas with the N.C. Cooperative Extension. Picking the Right Crepe Myrtle for Your Yard Blooms on a Dwarf Acoma Crepe Myrtle tree If you want to add a crepe myrtle tree to your landscape, be sure to pick the right one for your intended space. The trees can range in height from seven feet to over 30 feet depending on the variety. Some shrub varieties stay between three and five feet. Bloom colors vary as much as the heights with choices such as lavender, red, white, fuchsia and more. Check out this comprehensive list from the Texas A & M extension office of different crepe myrtles, including information on growth patterns and colorful pictures of blooms With a little research, its easy to find the perfect crepe myrtle for a colorful, beautiful and low-maintenance addition to your yard.

Sullivan’s Island, S.C., is a tranquil escape overflowing with history and charm. Just 20 minutes from Charleston, this barrier island is the perfect destination for a relaxing day along the Atlantic coast. Sullivan's Island's iconic lighthouse, also called the "Charleston Light" Sullivan’s Island Background Sullivan’s, as it's typically referred to, was settled in the late 17th century by its namesake Captain Florence O’Sullivan, according town information. Sullivan’s is a beautiful residential beach community. There are no hotels and no overcrowding. Instead, you’ll find beautiful homes, many of which are historic restorations, on large lots surrounded by lush, natural growth.  The island’s beaches feel untouched, as if being discovered for the first time. It’s common to see beautiful, large twisted pieces of driftwood decorating the island’s wide beaches like natural, surfside sculptures. The island’s maritime forest is thick, the dunes are robust and, in the water and across the island, is an abundance of wildlife. Just a few blocks from the ocean is the heart of Sullivan’s - it’s charming downtown with just the right blend of things to do for a few hours on a warm afternoon or evening. Going to the Beach on Sullivan’s Island Sullivan’s beachfront is 3.5 miles. Beach access points are called stations and interspersed among residential homes (some of the streets are named for the beach access point they lead to). Each station (abbreviated as STA) and street name on the island is noted with a concrete pillar that stands a few feet high. Sullivan's beaches are open to the public, so find a place to park near a station and then hit the beach!  One of the most popular sections of the island’s beachfront is between stations 21 and 22 1/2. These stations are also the closest to Sullivan's downtown business district (just a couple of blocks away). It's a short 5-10 minute walk to reach downtown and all of its wonderful places to shop and eat. Interested in more than sunbathing or wading in the water? Then, consider a kitesurfing lesson by Sealand Adventure Sports . This Sullivan’s Island business has lessons for beginners and beyond. Or, rent a cruiser bike from Sealand for peddling along the shoreline. E-bike rentals are also available (must be at least 18 years old). Tips for Visiting • No plastic, styrofoam or glass containers. • No alcohol on beaches, streets or boardwalks. • No public restrooms. • Stay off the dunes and away from sea turtle nesting areas (this includes dogs). • Tents must be 10’ x 10’ or smaller. • ALL dogs, even those belonging to visitors, must have a license issued by Town Hall. Visit here . • Dog waste bags and trash cans at every beach path.  • For more complete list of dos and don’ts, visit here . Parking   • Designated areas (free) along streets.  • Do not block the street or beach paths.  • All tires must be off the pavement.  Beyond the Beaches: What Else to Do on Sullivan’s Island Edgar Allan Poe: Sullivan Island’s Legendary Resident Edgar Allan Poe, a 19th century writer famous for his macabre short stories and poems, including “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Raven,” was once a Sullivan’s resident and used the island as the backdrop for his story, “The Gold Bug.”  Poe came to Sullivan’s to serve at Fort Moultrie (more fort info. below) beginning in November 1827, according to online history by the National Park Service (NPS), which owns and operates the fort. While there, Poe was promoted to an artificer and served at the fort until he and a group of fellow soldiers were reassigned to a post in Virginia. Although Poe’s time on Sullivan’s was short, it left an indelible mark. Published in 1843, Poe’s “The Gold Bug” is about a man staying in a cabin on the island who becomes obsessed with a gold-colored beetle. Reminders of Poe and his work are celebrated and promoted across the island, such as the GOLDBUG clothing boutique and Poe’s Tavern. He’s also the namesake of the island’s library , which has programming and an area dedicated to his work.  The library is interesting on its own and worth a visit since it's housed in a renovated battery from the Spanish-American war. Plus, the librarians have plenty of Poe knowledge and fun trivia to share. Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Fort Moultrie , positioned to help guard the waters leading to Charlestown (the city’s name early on), was active during the Revolutionary War and its history continued through 1947. Today, the well-preserved federal fort is open for exploration by a guided or self-guided tour (brochure in the visitor center). Highlights for visitors include a diverse collection of rare cannons, batteries to walk through, and a WWII-era command post built to monitor the harbor. Thanks to the fort’s strategic position, it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean with tranquil views of Charleston’s waterfront, the famed Ravenel Bridge and historic Fort Sumter (the other historic harbor protector and where the Civil War began).  The visitor center has an extensive collection of artifacts and interpretive histories about the fort and military sea coast operations from 1776 - 1947. Just next door to the fort, is beach access  via Station 12, which includes off street parking just steps from the beach.  You can stroll down this stretch of beach all the way to one end of Sullivan’s for even better views of the harbor and Charleston. Like much of Sullivan’s, this beach is unspoiled. If you’re there in the morning, you might spot some dolphins. Adjacent to the visitor center’s parking lot is a large, grassy picnic area (with shade!) and a fishing dock along the intercoastal waterway. It’s a nice area to take a break and enjoy a water view. For more details on visiting Fort Moultrie, visit the NPS website . Tips for Visiting • Open daily from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • Check in at the Visitor Center to pay the $10 park fee. • On-site bathrooms. • Ample parking. • The dock is currently under renovation and closed until Spring, 2026. • Fishing is allowed off the dock with a license. Sullivan's Island Lighthouse Sullivan’s lighthouse, also called the “Charleston Light,” was dedicated on June 15, 1962, and the last major lighthouse built in the U.S., according NPS history. The lighthouse is 162.5 feet tall and features an unusual triangular design meant to withstand hurricane force winds up to 125 miles per house. And, apparently it can and then some!  The eye of Hurricane Hugo passed over Sullivan’s in 1989. Hugo was a Cat 4 storm with max winds between 135-140, according to the National Weather Service. The design proved itself since the lighthouse withstood the storm. The lighthouse’s beacon was at one point among the strongest in the world. The candlepower was reduced in recent years, but is still visible at least 27 miles away, according to the NPS. The lighthouse is part of the United States Coast Guard Historic District, which also includes preserved buildings related the island’s life saving history.  Life Saving Heritage The U.S. Life Saving Service (USLSS) began in the late 1800s. Prior to this time, there was no official apparatus or group to help distressed swimmers and boaters. The service opened on Sullivan’s in 1895 with a boat house, two 20-foot surf boats and living quarters for the duty men. The USLSS eventually morphed into the U.S. Coast Guard. Next to the lighthouse are several USLSS buildings with detailed historical markers. For more background, visit the NPS website . Trails on Sullivan’s Island The Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail passes through a maritime forest connecting the beach at Station 16 to the lighthouse and Fort Moultrie. The trail, which is two miles long, is also called the “Dunes Trail” since it follows along the coastal dunes. Also leading from Station 16 is a beach access trail loop and another trail maintained by the NPS, which connects to Fort Moultrie park. An interactive trail map is on the town's website. Thomson Park and the Breach Inlet Breach Inlet, an area between Sullivan’s and neighboring Isle of Palms, is the site of two major historical events.  Connecting the two islands is the H.L. Hunley Bridge, with views of the Breach Inlet on the ocean side and Inlet Creek and the intercoastal waterway on the other.  At the foot of the bridge overlooking the water is Thomson Park , where the Battle of Sullivan’s Island took place on June 28, 1776, during the Revolutionary War. A series of historical markers tell the story of the battle and how a small group of South Carolina men held off the British Royal Navy.  The Breach Inlet is also where the H.L. Hunley , the world’s first combat submarine, was put into action for a single and deadly mission. The Hunley was a Civil War vessel that successfully sank its enemy target. It was a death mission for Hunley’s crew since there was no way out of the submarine once inside. The Hunley was recovered from the water in 2005 and is now on display in Charleston along with other artifacts as part of a larger historical museum and research center.   The Breach Inlet area is especially nice for taking a walk and enjoying the views of boats and wind surfers further out in the water. In the mornings, you’re likely to see dolphins nearby chasing after schools of fish or maybe even a stingray leaping out of the water. Dolphins and humans enjoy fishing in this area!  Tips for Visiting   • Free parking adjacent to the park. • Beach accessible for walking. • Do NOT wade into the water. Swimming prohibited due to extremely dangerous currents. • Inlet beaches are small so plan walks and fishing from the shore around high tide. For more on Sullivan’s parks and playgrounds, visit here . For more information on the Hunley museum, visit here . Favorite Places to Eat, Drink and Shop in Downtown Sullivan’s Island The business district consists of a small collection of restaurants, businesses and recreation along Middle Street (between Station 20 and 22 1/2). The area has a laid back, chic quality that’s mixed with a big dose of southern, hometown charm. Considering the size, it's surprising how complete the downtown’s offerings are for visitors. There’s truly something for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of Take Note & Go's favorites. Some of the restaurants and businesses along Middle Street in the downtown area of Sullivan's Island Restaurants Poe’s Tavern  - This casual restaurant is “all in” on the Edgar Allan Poe theme from the decor to the menu. Poe’s offers numerous entree choices, but really, it's all about the burger.  “The Raven” is the mainstay plain burger, which all others are built upon. Among the specialty burgers are the “Pit and the Pendulum” (a burger with applewood bacon and cheese) and “The Tell Tale Heart” (the same as the P&P but with a fried egg on top).   If the weather is nice - as in it doesn’t feel like the face of the sun - sit outside in the front patio area (tables have umbrellas). If choosing indoor seating, avoid the back area (kind of cramped). Instead, choose the main dining area that also includes the bar, which also opens to the outside. Personally, we like the long, high top tables in the main dining room near the fireplace (complete with a painting of Poe).   Republic Ice Cream  - Delicious ice cream in a fun and eclectic former house. Take advantage of outside seating and enjoy your cone while people watching. Obstinate Daughter  - From menu to decor, this award winning restaurant nicely blends refinement with comfort. It’s the perfect choice for a date night or family celebration.  The chef is a 2x nominee for a James Beard award - a culinary big deal - and the restaurant reflects this level of expertise. The menu  is lowcountry reimagined with a global influence. Frogmore chowder (delicious!), crispy duck leg and griddled octopus are just a few of the dinner highlights. If you can’t make it for a meal, stop in for a dessert. Try the cobbler! Reservation encouraged.  Home Team BBQ  - Fantastic place to kick back, relax and have fun. The barbecue is delicious whether dining in or taking out. While we enjoy Home Team’s barbecue, we absolutely love the dry rub wings with Alabama sauce. If there’s a big game on, arrive at Home Team early to find a spot because it gets crowded! Large screen TVs are everywhere so there’s not a bad seat in the house. Main room seating includes high top tables, booths and a long bar. The covered front patio area has tables and a small bar.     The Longboard  - Patrons of the Longboard can delight in seafood and other entrees featuring lowcountry and Caribbean flavors (the original Longboard is in the U.S. Virgin Islands).  The Longboard’s main dining room with its open, modern nautical design is anchored by a huge bar. Although we have enjoyed meals at the Longboard, we prefer to stop in for the creative selection of craft cocktails and an appetizer. Seating also includes a covered patio. Reservations for a table recommended. Shopping  • GOLDBUG  - Nice selection of women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories. Plus, home decor and gifts, such as candles. • The Red Collar  - Fun, on-trend resort and beachwear for men. • Bennie + Coco  - A tiny, charming boutique with coastal inspired clothing and swimwear for women. • Sandpiper Gallery  - Art gallery featuring a broad range of artists and mediums, including, glass, acrylics, oil, watercolor and more.  • Sealand Adventure Sports  - Need a swimsuit, sunglasses or gear for water sports, then this is your place! Sea Island carries cool Sullivan’s Island-themed t-shirts, too. Sealand specializes in kitesurfing, paddleboarding, surfing, cycling and skateboarding. Recreation After your family enjoys ice cream, let the kids burn off that energy at J. Marshall Stith Park . Located along Middle Street, the park has designated playground equipment areas for toddlers and older children. Other park features include a picnic area, a gazebo, and basketball courts (always kids playing ball).  Tips for Visiting   The charming atmosphere of downtown Sullivan's plus the quality of its restaurants and shops, makes it a popular place, especially in the evenings. For this reason, parking can be tricky if you don't know what you're doing. Parking options include: • Free spaces along Middle Street and side streets.  • Free spaces in large lots a block or two off Middle Street and still very walkable to downtown.  • Pay lots along Middle Street.  • Some restaurants have their own free lots for customers. Next time you're visiting Charleston, be sure to plan a trip to Sullivan's. It has something for foodies, history buffs and beach lovers all wrapped up in a small, yet perfect package.

“Discount” and “gourmet” are words that don’t usually end up in the same sentence. Well, when it comes to the food section of T.J. Maxx, they do. If you like specialty items at a great price, make the Maxx your go-to. Don’t just take my word for it, there are plenty of respected publications dedicated to food and fancy cuisine that break down the mystique that is T.J. Maxx gourmet, and, for that matter, its sister stores, Marshalls and HomeGoods. The biggest misconception is that all the food items are overruns or nearing expiration, so they find their way to the discount retailer. Wrong. Maggie Lane, a writer for Bon Appétit magazine, outlined in her 2016 article that “T. J. Maxx often acquires items that are specially produced just for them.” And, as she explains, the unique product selection is intentional. T.J. Maxx isn’t trying to compete with the local grocery store. It’s offering what is special and not on every shelf. These are the kinds of items you didn’t know you wanted, until you see them. I think there is something to the thrill and mystery of it all, as well. The entire shopping experience is based on a successful hunt. My close friend, Becky, and I call it “making a loop,” since we make the same route through our favorite sections of the store every time. When we arrive at the Maxx and the electric doors open, we wonder with excitement, “What will we find today?” Then, we separate, each on our own individual loop. We occasionally reconvene to share our finds until we are finally worn out, ready to check out and get lunch. Our hunts are focused and thorough. You have to move things around on the shelves and see what’s stashed in the back, especially in the gourmet section. And when you find something special, it feels like a prize. It’s fun. And, best of all, it comes without any spending guilt. There is something very satisfying about seeing the “compare at” on the label - makes you feel like a smart hunter-gather. Case in point, I made a loop recently and found a $12.25 oz jar of farmhouse strawberry jam for $5.99 by the specialty foods company Stonewall Kitchen. Similar strawberry jam on the company’s website retails for $8.95 and as much as $10 on Amazon. One of my sons loves strawberry jam, so in the cart it went. In the unique category, there was everything from glittery baking sugar to imported Italian balsamic vinegar dressing flavored with truffle oil. I passed on those, but did go home with a jar of Peruvian grilled artichokes marinated in brine for $3.99. I also bought dark chocolate covered California pistachios for $3.99, which were promptly opened and eaten after check out. Don’t judge, a girl needs sustenance when shopping. The Maxx food section is also a great place to find gifts. I was tempted by a big selection of cocktail infusion mixers – just add rosé for a sangria or tequila for a berry margarita! With no girl’s trip on the horizon, I passed. I’m starting to regret that choice now. If you’ve always dismissed the gourmet and specialty foods section at T.J. Maxx, give it a shot. It’s a great place to find gifts, discover new items and save money on brands you know. So, on your next trip out, happy hunting or as Becky and I like to say, “Make a Loop!”

If you plan to visit London, odds are you'll have cloudy weather. In August, the city's sunniest month, 55 % of the days are overcast and by December that number increases to 79 %, according to weather-and-climate.com. So, when you get a beautiful, clear day in London, it's best to spend it outside enjoying the gardens, courtyards and outdoor venues. Here are five fun ways to do just that. Dine on Street Food at Borough Market Arrive hungry and enjoy the sights, sounds and especially the tastes of Borough Market . This historic market, with a heritage dating back 1,000 years, is a food lovers' dream with more than 100 choices among the food stalls, carts, restaurants and bars. There’s everything from baked goods to burgers. Plus, selections of wine, olive oil, cheese, meat, seafood and more. A can’t miss is Humble Crumble where shortbread crumble is the star of a customizable dessert. When ordering, choose among the crumble fruit bases, such as apple and cinnamon. Then, choose among the more than 10 toppings including frozen custard, whipped cream and toasted marshmallow. If you want to top everything off with a garnish, try the edible rose petals or crushed meringue. Yum! Another market standout are the delicious meat pies by Pieminister . There’s everything from traditional English meat and ale pies to chicken pies with chestnut and portobello mushrooms. If you’re craving a unique and hearty sandwich, then check out The Black Pig . A delicious choice is the slow-roasted pork sandwich with honey-truffle mayo and apple slaw on toasted ciabatta bread topped with parmesan. The sandwich, which is huge, is toasted over coals, adding a nice touch to the flavor profile. Borough Market is just over the London Bridge. It's spread over several acres and divided into sections. The market is open-air, but mostly covered by the overhead train tracks. The tall, brick arches are a reminder of the market's Victorian past. There’s a deck platform in the Borough Market Kitchen section that’s a perfect place to sit on a sunny day. The market is open six days a week. Visit its website for operating times and vendor descriptions and locations. Have Drinks and Bites at the Claude Bosie Oyster Bar Head to the beautiful Chelsea section of London to The Oyster Bar of acclaimed French chef Claude Bosi, for a relaxing drink and delicious food. The restaurant, on the ground floor (street level) of the historic Michelin House, is a setting like no other. The art-deco building was once Michelin tire’s U.K. headquarters and even had a tire changing area out front. Today, the building is completely transformed and nods to its heritage loom large, including the stained glass window featuring a smiling Bibendum, a.k.a the Michelin man. The Oyster Bar has indoor dining, but on nice days the semi-open patio and street-side dining are especially nice. In the patio, light floods through the large windows for a warm and charming café atmosphere. The ambiance is relaxing and the people-watching is perfect. If having a neighborhood feel was Bosi’s goal, he achieved it. There’s even a small florist stand, Petals at Bibendum, tucked into the opposite side of the patio. During our meal, locals popped in for a bouquet. Charming! Of course, the food is delicious. It's also reasonably priced, which is a nice surprise considering Bosi is an award-winning chef whose name-sake restaurant (on the building’s first floor) has two Michelin dining stars. At the Oyster Bar, seafood and shellfish are the menu’s main focus. My crab orecchiette entrée tasted so good, it took all my restraint to eat slowly. The entrée offerings are wonderful, but you can also make a meal out of the starters and the wide selection of oysters on the half shell. Be sure to try something from the bar. My pre-dinner cocktail, a lavender cooler, was a yummy blend of Botanist Gin, lychee juice, lavender and lemon juice. To add to your experience, visit the Michelin Guide’s website to learn a little history about the Michelin House building before you arrive. You can also learn how a tire company became the preeminent reviewer of restaurants . Update: Sadly, Chef Bosi and his team were not able to work out a new leasing agreement for the Michelin House building resulting in the closure of both restaurants in August 2025. Bosi does have other restaurants in the city including Josephine in Chelsea and Marylebone. Relax in St. James Park The tranquil gardens of St. James Park, part of the Royal Parks system , are perfect for a sunny day and a more relaxing way to enjoy some pomp and circumstance without getting stuck among the crowds. We started our journey through the park near the Queen Victoria Memorial. This large gold and marble monument to the former queen is just beyond the gates to Buckingham Palace. You can’t see the palace guards from this vantage point, but you can enjoy the beauty of the royal residence and the memorial without being mobbed by people. St. James' Park is bordered by the processional Mall, Birdcage Walk and Horse Guards Road. The path through the park leads from the palace to White Hall where the Royal Horse Guard changes command. Along the way are grassy areas nestled among tall trees and lush, landscaped flower beds. St. James' Lake stretches through most of the park and is home to ducks and geese. Close to White Hall is St. James' Café overlooking part of the lake and Duck Island. The café serves breakfast and lunch, as well as delicious coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go items. The cafe has a large, indoor seating area, but on a sunny day, choose either the main patio deck or the rooftop deck. Both have a beautiful views of the tree tops, the skyline and the London Eye. If you time it right, after you enjoy a coffee, walk to the corner of the Mall and Horse Guards Road to watch the Royal Horse Guard march by. The regalia of the calvary and their horses is impressive and beautiful. Stroll Along the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk Following the memorial walk honoring Princess Diana is a wonderful way to see some of the most beautiful areas of London. The the seven-mile loop includes four royal gardens and sites significant in Princess Diana’s life. The walk, along with a playground in Kensington Gardens, celebrates Diana's love of children and the open spaces around Kensington Palace, her former home. The route is marked with medallion-like plaques featuring a rose emblem. The rose symbolizes Princess Diana’s "enduring image" and "Britain’s traditions and heritage," according to the Royal Parks website. The path winds through Kensington Gardens and then splits for a choice to go either over or around Serpentine Lake to reach Hyde Park. The path continues on through Green Park and then St. James' Park. In addition to the beautiful grounds and active wildlife, highlights along the walk include the Peter Pan statue, Kensington Palace, the Albert Memorial, the Rose Garden, the Spencer House and the Joy of Life/Four Winds Fountain statue. Spencer House , an 18th-century home revered for its architecture and grandeur, was built for Princess Diana’s ancestor, John, the first Earl Spencer. For a short detour along the memorial walk, you can tour the home’s state rooms and garden on Sundays (except in August) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advanced booking is required and guided tours last one hour. Additional royal residences along the walk include Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and St. James’ Palace. For a downloadable map of the walk and additional information, visit the Royal Park's website . Check Out the Shopping and Public Art in Notting Hill Notting Hill is one of London’s most eclectic and diverse communities. It’s also home to the historic Portobello Market , one of the most famous street markets in the world. A trip to the market is an experience like no other. It pulsates with energy as crowds of people move among the vendors while music and the smell of food fill the air. Stall vendors along the street sell everything you can imagine including jewelry, art, antiques, food and vintage items, such as records and clothing. The buildings lining the street are home to interesting shops and places to eat, as well. We found ourselves captivated by botanical prints and antique maps from around the world in The Portobello Market and Print Shop . In addition to the market is the uniqueness of Notting Hill itself, especially its public art. The tall slim buildings are painted in pastel and bright colors, while others are adorned with murals. Art installations and street art are found throughout the neighborhood. Be sure to check out Graffik Gallery , which focuses solely on urban and street art. The market stretches for about a mile down Portobello and Golborne roads. Expect a crowd everyday, but the biggest market is Saturday, followed by Friday as a close second. The market is open Monday-Saturday, but times vary based on the season. Check out visitportbello.com for update-to-date operating times and news about special events.