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Tucked across North Carolina among tall trees and beautiful landscapes are 19 giant wooden creatures that have propelled the state into a “Troll Hunting” hub.  The trolls are the brainchild of Danish artist Thomas Dambo and made entirely of locally-sourced natural and reclaimed materials, such as twigs and discarded wine barrels and shipping pallets. Dambo describes his work as the “intersection of art, nature, storytelling, and recycling.”  His trolls - standing anywhere from 15 to 60 feet tall - are found around the world including Singapore, France, Mexico and across the United States. Dambo designs his trolls and their backstory poems with such detail their personalities come to life and offer a snapshot into their world. For example, a tired mother troll resting, but keeping one eye open on her children. Dambo introduced his first trolls in 2014 and the public’s infatuation with the creatures has grown into a world-wide phenomenon, many fans calling themselves “Troll Hunters.” The Dambo Troll Hunters Facebook page has 185,000+ followers who actively post pictures of themselves posing with trolls and post comments about their favorites and more fandom topics. In November 2025, N.C. welcomed two Dambo exhibits. “Trolls: A Field Study,” is a traveling exhibit of 12 playful "baby trolls” (they only stand 7 to 9 feet tall) at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The baby trolls are on display until Feb. 17, 2025, and then depart for the South Coast Botanic Garden in California. Spread across N.C.'s Piedmont region is “The Grandmother Tree,” a permanent exhibit and Dambo’s most recent work. The installation features a family of seven trolls - mom, dad and their children. Five trolls are in Raleigh and then one in both Charlotte and High Point. This installation also includes an interactive game component. The fairytale-like backstory of these seven trolls is their job to protect a special, ancient tree (The Grandmother Tree) with a location unknown to everyone but them. Each troll has a necklace with a special symbol - a clue to finding the tree.  When someone finds all seven trolls and their necklace symbols, they can then go to thomasdambo.com/trollmap  and click on the location of the exhibit to reveal a special online decoder for the symbols. Decode each one and the location of The Grandmother Tree is revealed.  Dambo's troll installations are incorporated into their surroundings in a way that feels natural, as if they actually live and play there. For example, “Mama Mimi,” a 25-foot tall troll in Jackson Hole, Wyoming's Rendezvous Park, is seated on the bank of a pond with one leg stretched out over the water, creating a natural bridge for troll hunters and park visitors (generally, though, climbing on the trolls is not allowed and noted by signs). Public engagement is an important aspect of Dambo’s work and he encourages the public to capture their troll-human moments and submit them for possible inclusion on his social media. If you have a fun picture or video with a troll to share use fanart@thomasdambo.com  and include your name for credit in case it's posted. Mother Strong Tail taking a rest in Raleigh, NC's Dix Park Dambo’s work isn’t limited to trolls and wood. He’s used recycled plastic, milk crates, cardboard, stereo equipment and even a car for his special type of sculpture. The subject matter that springs from his imagination has included a giant wolf climbing out from under a parking lot, a castle for ducks built in the middle of a lake and so much more. If you're too far away for an in-person experience with Dambo's artwork, visit thomasdambo.com/works and explore his entire collection worldwide. The installations are organized by category and year. You can also use the Trollmap on Dambo’s website. Designed like a pirate’s treasure map, each X corresponds to a specific installation. Click on the X for a poem about that specific troll plus pictures and more details. Super fans may be interested in his coffee-table book, “Trash, Trolls and Treasure Hunts,” which chronicles the creation of Dambo’s first 100 trolls with stories, poems and pictures. Fun tidbit, Dambo and his crew used over 250 tons of scrap wood to build the trolls featured in the book. Happy troll hunting!

Jack Smith Park in Cary, N.C., is the perfect microcosm of what I look for in a “little adventure” outdoors – entertainment, creativity and natural beauty. The park has all the typical parts you’d expect like brightly-colored playground equipment and nicely landscaped green spaces, but what’s not typical are the art installations. The towering whirligig sculptures of Vollis Simpson, a farmer/machinist turned folk artist, comprise the park's delightful centerpiece. If you've ever played with a pinwheel, then you understand whirligigs – toys and objects that move, or rather whirl, by wind power. The park’s three whirligigs, standing at least 20 to 30 ft each, are painted in bold, contrasting primary colors. One whirligig looks as if it's covered in a bouquet of flowers, but are actually textured circular sculptures and fan blades of various sizes painted in dynamic patterns. Each one spins independently when the wind blows. My favorite of the three whirligigs features a pipe-smoking farmer working a well pump as a little bird looks on. Simpson was commissioned to create the park’s whirligigs and clearly this one is a nod to the site’s past as a working farm. The farm's history was also the inspiration for an installation along the park’s walking path. William Moore, a sculptor from nearby Pittsboro, N.C., created a flock of sheep that resemble the Suffolk breed that were once raised on the land, according to park signage. The sheep are crafted of cement and painted with the breed’s distinctive markings – a black face and legs. Moore’s sculptures are beautifully done in a modern style. The flock is separated into three pods that look natural along the edge of the park’s large grassy field doing what sheep do – grazing, looking around and scratching their side. The installation is intended to be interactive and every time I visit the park, children run down the hill to climb and sit on sculptures. Jack Smith Park is located in southeastern Cary as the area starts to turn less suburban and more rural. The park is small, well-maintained and nestled among trees that provide shade along parts of the walking path that winds around the entire park. For families, there are plenty of activities all close to each other, including a splash pad with several water features, playgrounds designed for different ages and a 10ft tall climbing structure. Plus, there’s a large covered picnic area. Down the hill is a wide field that's perfect for frisbee and soccer. The main area of the park is a short drive toward the back of the property. At the park’s entrance is a dog park with separate areas for large and small breeds. Jack Smith Park, like all other parks, is designed to connect us with nature and find enjoyment. I love that the art installations add to the park’s cheerfulness and escapism. Maybe the imaginative work of Simpson and Moore will help inspire park visitors, as well. If you like Simpson’s whirligigs, the most impressive collection is the two-acre Vollis Simpson Park in Wilson, N.C. Simpson lived on a farm in Lucama, which is just outside Wilson. The downtown park features 30 of Simpson’s large-scale whirligigs. The city also hosts the annual Whirligig Festival every November celebrating art, music and food. To learn more about Moore’s work, visit the Chatham Artists Guild or his personal site for Rock Rest Studios .

Breasts. Boobs. Ta-Tas. I can go on, but hopefully that gets any shyness out of the way. Breasts are everywhere. They’re beautiful, practical and sometimes annoying and kind of silly, especially when jogging. Breasts are also at risk for developing cancer. But, thankfully, we have modern medicine and tools to help catch breast cancer early and beat it. When it comes to women with dense breasts, though, things get confusing. A debate is swirling if dense-breast care should routinely include an ultrasound screening along with a mammogram. Why? Because dense breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissues than fatty tissue, which makes detecting cancer with a mammogram more difficult. Even with 3-D mammograms–the best type available–dense breast tissue can obscure cancer. In fact, mammograms alone miss approximately one-third of breast cancer in women with dense breasts, according to The Brem Foundation , a non-profit organization dedicated to breast cancer education and early detection. Trying to wade through the complex breast-density debate, is confusing for women. It has been for me. A good place to start is with these questions: • What are dense breasts? • How do you find out if you have dense breasts? • How does breast density affects imaging? Dense Breasts and Imaging Ultrasounds are typically used as a secondary, follow-up step when something suspicious is seen on a mammogram. For women with dense breasts, there’s a push among health advocates for ultrasounds to be a first-step screening along with mammograms. Cancer detection in dense breasts improves by over 55 % when screened with both mammography and ultrasound, according to Brem. And why is that? Consider these facts about imagining and breasts gathered from Brem, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Breasts consist of three types of tissue: 1. Glandular tissue (lobes and ducts used in milk production) 2. Fibrous tissue (also called connective or supportive tissue) 3. Fatty tissue. All non-fatty tissue is called fibroglandular tissue. In a mammogram: 1. Fatty tissue appears clear . 2. Fibroglandular tissue and anything else present in a breast, such as calcifications and cancer, appear white . 3. In a fatty-tissue breast, a white spot of potential cancer is more noticeable. 4. In a dense breast, a white spot of cancer can blend in and be difficult to spot. In an ultrasound: 1. Everything appears white except a potential spot of cancer. 2. Cancer stands out as black or dark gray and is easier to see. With all these facts, someone might think an ultrasound alone is a good screening choice– wrong. An ultrasound is NOT a substitute for a mammogram, but rather a supplemental tool. Mammograms are the gold standard in detection and ultrasounds are not perfect. For example, ultrasounds, unlike mammograms, can miss tiny calcium deposits, which are an early sign of cancer. And, ultrasound results are less accurate on women with very large breasts. How to Know if You Have Dense Breasts Breast density can only be determined through a mammogram, not by touch and feel. The FDA updated it regulations in March 2023 to require mammography facilities to inform women of their breast density level. Some states already had similar regulations in place, but by Sept. 2024 all states must comply. Results will include a woman’s Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) density classification (there is also a BI-RADS 0-6 numbering system that's used to describe findings on a mammogram). Developed by the American College of Radiology, the four BI-RADS density categories use letters and go from least to most dense as follows: A – Almost all fatty tissue B – Scattered areas of dense fibroglandular breast tissue C – More areas of glandular and connective tissue (described as heterogeneously dense) D – Extremely dense The new mammogram reports are thoroughly explained on the American Cancer Society’s website . The reports will include: 1. A BI-RADS breast composition classification 2. Whether a woman’s breasts are either “dense” or “not dense.” 3. For those with breasts classified “dense,” the report will state: “Dense tissue makes it harder to find breast cancer on a mammogram and also raises the risk of developing breast cancer. Your breast tissue is dense. In some people with dense tissue, other imaging tests in addition to a mammogram may help find cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your individual situation.” What’s the Dense Breasts Debate All About? There is consensus in the medical community, including the American Cancer Society, about the following: • Dense breasts are common • Women with dense breasts are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer • Cancer is harder to spot in dense breast tissue • Ultrasounds along with mammograms can catch cancer earlier The debate centers on questions, such as cost effectiveness, cost versus survival benefit, and unnecessary subsequent testing. There is also a call for more research to assess these questions further. On the American Cancer Society’s website, the organization acknowledges the benefits of extra imaging, such as ultrasounds and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), especially in high-risk cases. Also, there's concern that for women with dense breasts and no signs and symptoms of cancer an ultrasound screening could “show findings that are not cancer” and “lead to more tests and unnecessary biopsies” that aren't covered by insurance. The question of dense breasts and additional screening is currently under review by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF ), an independent group of health experts that make “evidence-based recommendations” about preventive services. The USPSTF has the following included in a draft recommendation statement dated May 2023 on its website: "Nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which increases their risk for breast cancer and means that mammograms do not work as well for them. Women are generally told by their clinician that they have dense breasts after they’ve had a mammogram. These women deserve to know whether and how additional screening might help them stay healthy. Unfortunately, there is not yet enough evidence for the Task Force to recommend for or against additional screening with breast ultrasound or MRI. We are urgently calling for more research on whether and how additional screening might help women with dense breasts find cancers earlier." When I first read this statement, the words “not yet enough evidence” jumped out at me. What also jumped out, was the large “in progress” banner that stretched across a corner of the website page about the draft recommendation. This topic isn’t new. For example, the first USPTF draft recommendation I found was dated 2016. And, the language was basically the same as the current statement. So, there's still not enough evidence since 2016? The USPTF is just one group looking at the issue. What about all the other scientists, researchers and health professionals out there? When will the medical community reach a conclusion? And, meanwhile, how many women with dense breasts are missing the early-detection window? Update! As of April 30, 2024, the USPTF published its " Final Recommendation Statement " on breast cancer screening (Note the sections in bold): "Nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which increases their risk for breast cancer and means that mammograms may not work as well for them . Women are generally told that they have dense breasts after they’ve had a mammogram. These women deserve to know whether and how additional screening might help them stay healthy. Unfortunately, there is not yet enough evidence for the Task Force to recommend for or against additional screening with breast ultrasound or MRI. We are urgently calling for more research on whether and how additional screening might help women with dense breasts find cancers earlier. It is important to note that all women, including those with dense breasts, should be screened starting at age 40. While we call for more research, these women should talk to their clinicians about their options for follow-up testing so that they can get the care that’s right for them." I stand by my previous statements. How is there still not enough evidence? Extra Imaging for Dense Breasts Can Hinge on Cost A big factor in the dense-breasts care debate is the medical bill. Specifically, who pays it? Having a routine, preventative breast ultrasound is not covered by most insurance companies and it's an expensive out-of-pocket cost. To combat this, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Brain Fitzpatrick introduced the bi-partisan Find It Early Act in December 2022 and then again in May 2023. The bill would require insurance plans to cover additional screening and diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasounds and MRIs, for women with dense breasts or at a greater risk for cancer. High-profile journalist Katie Couric, who revealed she has dense breasts, is putting her star power behind the bill after her own breast cancer diagnosis. “Breast cancer is treatable, and 99 % of women who are diagnosed early survive," said Couric when the bill was introduced. "That is why everyone needs to get screened. The Find It Early Act is a critical step toward improving access to these life-saving screenings." Couric’s isn’t exaggerating. Of women diagnosed with early-stage cancer that has not spread beyond the breasts, 99 % survive it, according to data from the Office of Women's Healt h with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. What Can Women with Dense Breasts Do Now? Numerous organizations, including the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, squarely place only BI-RADS categories C and D in the dense breast column. I pulled out my mammogram reports for the past several years and found it frustrating. I was classified with a BI-RAD C one time and then a B several subsequent times. Plus, one report included a long paragraph stating I "may" have dense breasts. Huh? My point is that it’s all a little mind numbing and confusing. There are so many studies and varying opinions. And, breast density can change with age and other factors. What are women with dense breasts or "may" have dense breasts supposed to do? I’m not a medical professional, just a woman who wants to understand the best choices for my health. I’m learning just like everyone else. Here's what I do know. We all have a unique combination of factors that go along with a BI-RADS classification, so what’s right for one of us may differ greatly from another. We have to advocate for ourselves, talk to our doctors and stay informed. The breast density-care debate is certainly going to continue in the medical and political community. While they’re still debating, here’s some suggestions of what women with dense breasts can do in the meantime: • Regularly have a mammogram without fail. • Perform regular self-breast exams. • Choose a 3-D mammogram, which is better for dense breasts since it provides a fuller picture of the entire breast than a traditional 2-D mammogram. • Check with your insurance company about coverage since 3-D mammograms cost more and the difference may be out-of-pocket. • Keep your annual mammogram reports with your breast density information. • Know your family medical history and any potential risk factors for cancer. • Talk to your doctor to assess your risk and if you should seek additional imaging. • Check with your health insurance company to see if you have coverage for additional imaging based on your breast density. • Check with an imaging facility and find out the costs of an ultrasound screening. • Write your legislators in support of the Find It Early Act. • Exercise, get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet. • ALWAYS advocate for yourself! For more information about dense breasts, women's health and breast cancer, including symptoms, visit these sites: Susan G. Koman DenseBreast-Info American Cancer Society Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center The Brem Foundation Office of Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services *Breast cancer ribbon image from Freepick.com

Mount Pleasant, S.C., a bedroom community of Charleston, is anything but “sleepy.” Great views, great drinks and great adventures are ever present and easy to find. Although a large area with typical suburban sprawl, the community still offers plenty of historic sites, waterfront views, places to convene with nature, and lively spots for food and drink. Follow these tips to curate your perfect day in Mount Pleasant from sunrise to sundown. Vicious Biscuits Get up and get out early so you can beat the crowd at Vicious Biscuit. This fast-casual spot is hugely popular! The creative and award-winning biscuits and breakfast offerings are delicious and will fill you up. Carb loading for sure! My favorite is The ‘Mater, a buttermilk biscuit with fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese and bacon jam. A southern delight! The Fat Boy buttermilk buscuit with fried chicken, signature pimento cheese and hot honey is also a delicious crowd favorite. There’s seating inside and on a covered patio, but it fills up quickly. Avoid the queue by ordering your biscuits to-go online. If you're in Mount Pleasant after Labor Day, then the crowds are really not a problem until later in the week. Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and the Ravenel Bridge With your belly full of biscuit, you might want to work off some calories or at least take a stroll. Tighten your laces and head to Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and Pier . Located at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge, the park offers the perfect spot for a morning walk while taking in the water views. Bonus–there’s ample parking! The park’s pier has a wide, flat walkway that’s 1,250 feet long and stretches out into the Cooper River. The pier runs almost parallel to the underside of the bridge, so you can really appreciate this engineering marvel (and the shade it provides). On select summer evenings the pier hosts live bands for “Dancing on the Cooper.” The pier’s River Watch Cafe and Gift Shop offers snacks, ice cream, milkshakes and sandwiches. Plus, clean bathrooms! The cafe/gift shop also has fishing passes and related gear. FYI, keep Fido at home, no pets allowed at the pier. The park includes a playground, a memorial dedicated to veterans, and an additional paved walkway that makes a loop around a grassy lawn. While visiting Waterfront Park, keep your eyes open for the 4-foot replicas of oyster shells decorated by various artists. My favorites were "Bell Diver" by Philip Hyman and "Tangled in Enchantment" by Zoe Hyman. The oysters are part of “Art on the Half Shell,” a curated initiative by the Town of Mount Pleasant. If you want to the see all the shells in the community, then check out the town's online guide . If the weather isn’t too stifling, check out the views from the Ravenel Bridge by foot or bike. Access to the bridge walkway is near the park. The views are incredible–the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriots Point, downtown Charleston, Fort Sumter National Monument, activities on the Cooper River and the bridge itself. The Ravenel is the third largest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. The supports take the shape of giant sails–it’s truly beautiful and an incredible feat of architecture and engineering. The bridge is 2.5 miles long and has a sloping incline to reach the middle. In the summer, it can be extremely hot and windy on the bridge. I recommend stopping halfway at the “sails,” taking gorgeous pictures and then doubling back. Be sure to carry water. Historic Old Mount Pleasant For quaint Southern charm, head to Mount Pleasant’s Old Village Historic District . The area, part of the National Register of Historic Places, features lovely homes, views of the water, and streets shaded by large oaks dripping with Spanish moss. If you've worked up an appetite, visit the lunch counter inside Pitt Street Pharmacy (an actual working pharmacy) and enjoy a grilled cheese, hot dog or another lunch counter favorite. My go-to treat is a Coke float with vanilla ice cream. The pharmacy, which opened in 1936, is rich on nostalgic charm complete with vintage signs and décor. Another dining choice along Pitt Street is the Gala Bakery featuring desserts, coffee, and full menu of other options. Indoor seating is available, but on a nice day the bakery's front porch and outdoor courtyard are lovely. For a more refined sit-down, make a reservation at the The Post House , a small, historic inn and restaurant. The building, which dates back to the 1800s, was updated in 2020 featuring a beautiful, modern take on the coastal-tavern look. Also on Pitt Street is the Wine Shop and the "Out of Hand" collection of boutiques featuring women's clothing, gifts, décor, and floral design. The Pitt Street merchants are part of the historical business district, an area included in the The Mount Pleasant Historical Commission’s Old Village Tour . The online tour map is easy to follow. Informative historical markers are also placed throughout the district. Alhambra Hall is among the tour locations. Take your lunch counter milkshake to-go, and drive just a few blocks to this historic building that was once a dance hall and now serves as a recreational facility for the town. Behind the hall is a wide, grassy lawn–a nice spot for walking dogs, having a picnic and enjoying views of Charleston Harbor. There are only a few benches, so bring a picnic blanket if you want to relax for a little bit. Across the street from the hall is a shady playground. There's ample parking available. One of my favorite spots in the Village District is Pitt Street Bridge and Pickett Park . The bridge, which once connected to Sullivan’s Island, now ends in the middle of the water providing beautiful views in every direction. In this area, the waters of the Cove Inlet and Charleston Harbor come together. The paved greenway is lined with palm trees and leads to a pier. The area is popular for walking, biking, fishing, crabbing and photography. Along the way are park benches if you want to sit and enjoy the views. It’s worth a visit, but don’t expect any shade and parking (along the edge of the road) is tricky. The sunset views are gorgeous. Shem Creek Waterfront The waterfront area of Shem Creek is the perfect spot for a Margaritaville-kind of afternoon or evening. A collection of restaurants and bars line the banks of Shem Creek. If you’re lucky, a pod of dolphins may swim by while you’re enjoying some fried shrimp and a creative cocktail. We checked out the restaurant, Saltwater Cowboys , for drinks and starters. The chilled, crab dip appetizer–the owner's family recipe–hit the spot! I have a weakness for fried green tomatoes, so I had to try those, too, and my tastebuds thanked me. The Shem Creek area also includes a boardwalk that extends into the marsh and past fishing boats for gorgeous views. It’s a great setting for sunset pictures. Shem Creek is also a popular spot for renting kayaks and setting out on boat tours and fishing charters. Patriots Point and Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina If you love military history, then Patriots Point Navel & Maritime Museum is a must. The centerpiece is the U.S.S. Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier. Inside the Yorktown and on its flight deck is a collection of aircraft and informative historic displays about various battles and war-time events. Walk through the maze-like belly of Yorktown to learn all about life at sea. Everything from the officer’s quarters to the kitchen and everything in between, is preserved to look just as it did when in service. In addition to the Yorktown, Patriots Point includes a museum about Medal of Honor winners, a submarine, and a destroyer. There is also an immersive Vietnam War exhibit, which is set up like a base camp with a mess hall, observation tower, helicopter, patrol boat and more. Expect to spend several hours on the Yorktown if you plan to explore the entire ship. Plan to spend at least a half day if you also want to explore the other Patriots Point exhibit areas. The inside of the Yorktown is hot and humid. Be sure to bring water and a snack. The only food is via vending machines. Patriots Point requires paid parking. Next door to Patriots Point and just a short walk along the waterfront boardwalk, is the Charleston Harbor Fish House within the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina . For expansive views of downtown Charleston and the harbor, beeline to the rooftop Bridge Bar at the Fish House. This is another perfect spot for pictures–the Ravenel Bridge and the Yorktown to the right, downtown Charleston straight ahead, Fort Sumter National Monument to the left, and the many boats and yachts docked below or jetting by. Walking along the marina boardwalk is my favorite way to enjoy the water views and the beautiful boats. During my last walk, a pod of dolphins were just a few feet away corralling fish among the docked boats. If you aren’t going to Patriots Point and therefore, don’t park in its lot, you’ll have to buy a parking pass to the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina lot. The restaurant provides parking vouchers with a meal purchase. Charleston Water Taxi The ferry service by Charleston Water Taxi is one of the easiest and best ways to get an on-the-water experience without devoting a lot of time or money. Keep a look out for dolphins while on board, they like to come by to say “hello.” The taxi runs a route among four stops–Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston, the South Carolina Aquarium, Patriots Point, and Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Taxis operate between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., revisiting stops every hour. A one-way pass for a single ride is $10 (children 3 and under are free). The best deal is an all-day pass for $14, which allows you to hop on or off as much as you want. No advanced reservations needed. Strollers can fit in the boats. Ride the taxi for an enjoyable trip around the harbor or use it as a quick and easy way to see sights near the drop off points and avoid the hassle of re-parking a car. The entire loop is about four miles. Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens The drive into Boone Hall Plantation is gorgeous as you travel under the huge branches of Live Oaks lining each side. Founded in 1681, a visit to Boone Hall is a historical look at life on the grounds then and now. Activities include various self-guided and guided tours of the main house, the surrounding estate buildings, the gardens, the butterfly pavilion and the farm. I enjoyed the landscaped grounds as much as the historic talks and exhibits. The gardens are skillfully designed and beautifully maintained. The guides and educators do an excellent job outlining the history of the plantation, especially the lives of its residents from the enslaved people to the plantation owners. You'll also learn about the evolution of the main house (four have stood on the footprint) and the industry tied to the resources from the adjacent marsh creek. In the 1800s, Boone Hall produced around 4 million handmade bricks and was the largest producer in the low country. The Black History in America exhibit is housed in the nine original slave dwellings. Each cabin exhibit centers on a specific timeframe in black history from slavery to modern times. On the Boone Hall website it states: "The discussion of slavery is often difficult, but it is an important topic that must be discussed openly and honestly whenever plantation life is addressed. At Boone Hall Plantation we believe there is a responsibility to present the history of slavery in an accurate and educational manner each day in a way that pays honor and respect to that history and the progress of Black Americans." Boone Hall also has a live, outdoor theater presentation about Gullah culture presented by direct descendants through storytelling, dance and song. The Gullah people are descendants of Africans enslaved on plantations in the low country regions of South Carolina and Georgia. Boone Hall is one of the oldest continuously working farms in America. For the farm tour, you ride in a wagon that's pulled by a tractor. The wagon's seats are padded and comfortable. The tour travels the entire estate (over 700 acres) and takes about 30 mins. It was a relaxing ride and the guide's insights are interesting. The heat index was in the upper 90s during my ride, but I was still comfortable. The wagon has a canopy and the tour path includes shaded, wooded areas. It's still a good idea to bring water, though. The indoor spaces, such as the main house, are air conditioned. The Butterfly Cafe offers snacks, hot dogs, premade sandwiches, ice cream and drinks. You can sit indoors or under the covered outdoor front patio. My only complaint about the cafe is how dark it is inside. Not very inviting. The cafe has a nice selection of Boone Hall products, such as hot pickled okra, marinated artichokes, honey and a variety of pickles. You can buy fresh, seasonal produce from Boone Hall's roadside market on Highway 17, which is just around the corner from the main entrance to the plantation. Palmetto Islands County Park Palmetto Islands Country Park is a wonderful way to enjoy Mount Pleasant's natural beauty. The 943-acre, public park is just a 5 minute drive from Boone Hall Plantation. For a $2 fee, you gain entry to a park so lush it feels more like a nature preserve. The park offers a multitude of recreational options. During my visit, I walked the marsh boardwalk to Nature Island, followed the Story Walk path, and went to the top of the 50-foot Observation Tower overlooking the marsh and a tidal creek. Story Walk is perfect for families with curious children. Along the path are permanent fixtures, each one featuring a "page" of a story about a tree changing with the seasons. The story engages readers with requests, such as blowing a kiss to make the leaves blow away. Another learning opportunity is the Phone Tour. You can hear details about your current location in the park by scanning the QR code or dialing the number on the phone tour sign. At my stop, I learned more about salt marsh vegetation and wildlife. The park has a total of five paths/trails. Each is clearly marked with color-coded, diamond-shaped signs affixed along the way. Path surfaces include wooden boardwalks, asphalt pavement and loamy soil. Other park features include a multi-age playground, large grassy fields, picnic shelters with volleyball nets nearby, kayak launching areas, fishing and crabbing docks, and the Splash Island Waterpark. Visitors can also rent paddleboats and bicycles. Rentals are reserved at the Park Center building. The center also has a snack bar and restrooms. Besides drink machines at the picnic shelters, the snack bar is the only option for snacks and drinks. Please remember, just because this is a public park doesn't mean it's free of alligators. There are ponds around Park Center and near part of the Big Toy Playground. Gators could absolutely live there, just as the warning signs state. The park is a nice option for appreciating the low country's beauty while getting some exercise or gathering with friends and family. And bonus–lots of shade! This is a municipal park with some wear and tear. But, I noticed several newly built picnic tables, so it looks like the weather-worn areas are being addressed. Palmetto Islands and Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park are among the Charleston County parks and facilities that include community centers, pools, piers, beach parks, campgrounds, trails and more. For community information and more ways to spend a day in Mount Pleasant, check out the town's official website .

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."