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Luis Baraldi addresses the crowd 

Delray Beach is home to a magnificent tennis center with an 8,000 person center court and 24 surrounding courts. The city hosts one ATP Delray Beach Open every year, and has been host of numerous Fed Cup draws, and exhibition matches. Because of its focus on tennis culture, Delray Beach is home to current professional tennis players Kevin Anderson and the up and coming star Coco Gauff who made it to the fourth round of the Wimbledon Championship in 2019. 

Porthole Cruise Magazine Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bill Panoff was in attendance at the kick off event in Delray Beach along side former pro tennis player Luis Baraldi who was instrumental in bringing the tournament to Delray Beach. An accomplished Davis Cup player, Baraldi’s company Baral Group has organized may major tennis and golf events in Mexico, including the first ATP Tennis Tournament in Mexico.

“This event  will be a game changer for Palm Beach County, in particular Delray Beach and Bonyton Beach. The economic impact will be phenomenal, while bringing a first class tennis event to Florida,” Panoff said following the event. 

The tournament will feature more than 700 players between the ages of 65 and 90 with many having participated in major events like Wimbledon and the Australian open. 

The event is perfect for those looking for a pre- or post-cruise event to bookend their cruise vacation around so we hope to see you there! 

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Kendall-Jackson: The History 

In 1982, Jess Jackson was an attorney in San Francisco and a grape grower with 200 acres of chardonnay grapes that he couldn’t sell because chenin blanc was “in” and chardonnay was “out.” That’s when he decided to make his own wine. By 1983, his wines won the first-ever Platinum Award for an American Chardonnay at the American Wine Competition. That same year, his Reserve Chardonnay caught the attention of Nancy Reagan, First Lady at the time. His wines were served at the White House, and suddenly Kendall-Jackson was on the map. Today, the Jackson Family makes 2.5 million cases of reserve wines that are sold in 72 countries.

But don’t let the success of Kendall-Jackson wines or the size of the company fool you. From the buzz in the tasting room, the friendliness of the staff, the care that goes into food preparation, and the estate’s well-tended four-acre garden that provides fresh produce for the restaurant, there’s something special going on here at this winery on Fulton Road. Greeted by our host and tour guide, Terry, we’re invited to tour the garden.

Kendall-Jackson Estate | Photo: Pam and Gary Baker

Kendall-Jackson Estates

A wander through the Kendall-Jackson Estates garden in Sonoma County is more than just a visual experience, it’s a sensory experience. Designed by the well-known organic farmer Tucker Taylor to provide fruit, vegetables and herbs for the estate’s food and wine pairings, this expertly planned garden also features flowers planted solely for beauty, a demonstration beehive, bird boxes, a bat box and a chicken coop. The biodynamic farming in this garden is impressive. But it’s the white wine and red wine sensory gardens that really pique our curiosity.

Each sensory garden is filled with herbs, fruits and plants to help you detect the flavors and aromas in the wines you’re about to taste. Terry graciously carries an old-fashioned steel “milk bottle” carrier filled with wine for us to sample as we explore the gardens.

In the white sensory garden, each corner represents a white wine varietal with plantings for viognier, chardonnay, gewürztraminer and sauvignon blanc. Like an expert sommelier, you’ll soon begin to detect the flavors and nuances in the wine. Move on to the red sensory garden and pluck, sip and repeat. Aromas of blueberry, strawberry and tomato and violets emerge within your glass of pinot noir. We sniff aromas of rosemary and chocolate mint by vigorously rubbing the plant leaves between our fingers while we sample rose, chardonnay, pinot noir and then Syrah.

Kendall-Jackson Garden | Photo: Pam and Gary Baker

With our palates prepped, Terry walks us through the rest of the garden. Here at the height of its growing season, the garden is filled with rows and rows of ice lettuce, melons, summer squash, zucchini, yellow crook neck squash, corn, strawberries, kale, and gorgeous heirloom tomatoes in shades of red, orange, and yellow. So abundant is the garden, what doesn’t get used in the estate’s restaurant is sold to Michelin star restaurants in Healdsburg and San Francisco.

Hungry, we move to the shaded patio to start our four-course food and wine pairing. It’s a comfortable setting, dining under the shade of large umbrellas. A cool breeze blows across the courtyard. It’s here that the heirloom tomatoes, “mouse melons” and bachelor buttons we saw in the garden appear on our plates, all harvested that morning. The relaxed pace of this winetasting experience allows time to engage our senses and to connect with food and wine crafted, prepared and paired in gourmet combinations that are truly exceptional. Wine and food affect the taste of one another. The virtue of pairings shows how food can complement wine and vice-versa.

The first course pairs an estate heirloom tomato salad, basil salt, ice lettuce, cucumber, and bush basil with a 2018 Jackson Estate Panorama Vineyard Rose of Pinot Noir. All the wines served during our pairing are only sold here at the winery.

Heirloom Tomato Salad | Photo: Pam and Gary Baker

The second course features a 2017 Jackson Estate Fulton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley with wild San Francisco Bay salmon, horseradish, little farm potato salad, summer squash, and trout caviar. When our knowledgeable host MacKenzie learns that Pam is a big fan of chardonnay, she also serves us a tasting of the Kendall Jackson Camelot and their premium chardonnay, a 2017 Stature from Santa Barbara County.

Wild San Francisco Bay Salmon | Photo: Pam and Gary Baker

A Snake River Farms coulotte steak on carrot-pumpkin puree, with Tokyo turnip and tatsoi, paired with a 2015 Jackson Estate Trace Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Knight’s Valley, is our third course.

Snake River Farms Coulotte Steak | Photo: Pam and Gary Baker

The final course is a dessert of peaches and cream buttermilk panna cotta, peach jam, and almond-oatmeal crumble accompanied by canelés de Bordeaux. A sweet 2018 Vintner’s Reserve Riesling pairs perfectly with this scrumptious dessert.

Peaches and Cream Buttermilk Panna Cotta | Photo: Pam and Gary Baker

As we savor our dishes, Paul Schroeder, one of the estate’s outstanding kitchen chefs, pops by with an unexpected and delightful surprise tableside visit, then invites us to tour the kitchen after lunch. The kitchen is a masterpiece and work of art in action. The size and design for optimum functionality are impressive, but it’s the teamwork of multiple chefs working together to prepare their dishes for grateful guests that captures our attention.

RELATED: Cruising California By Land 

After our kitchen tour we head to the tasting room where Terry offers us two additional wines that are not on the luncheon menu – a 2017 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, and the 2017 Syrah, Santa Barbara County. Rich flavors of wild strawberries, black cherries and plums come from the Pinot Noir. Jammy blackberry, plum and just the right amount of spice can be found in the Santa Barbara Syrah. These exceptional wines cap off an exceptional afternoon.

When you visit Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens, you step into a place that opens up with possibilities. This is a place to immerse yourself, engage your senses, and connect with others and nature. In a lunch experience that provides a relaxed and genuine vibe, we discovered food and wine crafted and paired together in several gourmet combinations.

Impressed with the Kendall-Jackson experience, we drive away with fond memories of a most exquisite afternoon.

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Germany 

Frohe Weihnachten! 

That’s how the German people say Merry Christmas when they gift advent calendars and children write their letters to Der Weihnachtsmann, or Father Christmas. Germany is world renowned for its Christmas Markets and there are beautiful ones all over the country. Here are some of the best to check out! 

Striezelmarkt – Dresden 

Made famous for its Stollen Cake, Striezelmarkt has hundreds of years of tradition as a top European Christmas Market. Resting along the Elbe River and with Old Town Dresden’s gorgeous architecture as a backdrop, there may not be a more picturesque market in Europe. Through the course of the holiday season, the market sees around 3 million visitors from every corner of the globe. If you go, make sure you try the Stollen, a sweet bread made with candied nuts, fruit and icing or sugar. Wooden ornaments and authentic nutcrackers make wonderful gifts to bring home to loved ones.  

Try the Stollen when in Dresden

Marienplatz – Munich 

While some would prefer to visit Munich during the famed Oktoberfest celebrations a month or two prior, the Marienplatz Christmas Market is just as compelling for a visit. Known as the “Christkindlmarkt,” the market is held in Marienplatz, the town center of Munich. The square fills with booths offering all manner of Christmas food, drink and decoration to locals and visitors traveling through the city. While there are several other Christmas markets to be found across the city, Marienplatz is the most famous. 

Aerial image of Munich’s Christkindlmarkt

Weihnachtsmarkt – Hamburg 

One of Germany’s northernmost cities, Hamburg has a rich maritime history as a Hanseatic League center of trade for hundreds of years. Weihnachtsmarkt (which literally translates to “Christmas Market”) is one of several markets which pop up in the city during Christmastime and it takes places outside of city hall around a giant Christmas Tree. Glittering lights, delicious smells and plenty of tidings of good cheer can be found here! 

France Christmas Markets

Joyeux Noël! 

You can probably guess what that means. As French children write their postcard to Père Noël and leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with presents, there are Christmas markets galore to explore. Here are some of the best! 

Paris – All of Them 

Paris, known as “The City of Lights”, might want to consider a name change to the city of Christmas cheer. Everywhere you go in France’s capital, you’ll find rows and rows of booths, known as chalets, offering everything from mulled wine and sweet breads to garlands and ornaments. Our advice would be to check the market at Notre Dame Cathedral and Champ de Mars underneath the Eiffel Tower as they’re usually bustling with visitors and vendors alike. 

There’s nothing like Christmas in Paris

Marché de Noël – Lille 

It’s easy to spot Lille, France’s Christmas Market thanks to a giant tree and ferris wheel both lit up with lights and decorations. Found in Place Rihour, a major tourist center, this market features a multinational spread as Lille is just south of the Belgium-France border. While considerable smaller than some other European Christmas Markets, many actually enjoy the intimate feel as it simply drips with authentic Christmas spirit. 

La Magie De Noël – Colmar

Near the river Rhine and the border with Germany sits Colmar, a region of France known for its outstanding sweet white wines. It’s also known for a gorgeous old town with wooden-framed homes that look simply delightful decked out in wreaths, lights and Christmas trees. It’s truly like something from a fairy tale. A robust event calendar means most days is a new Christmas-themed activity to enjoy! 

The wooden framed homes of Colmar on a December evening

European Christmas Market Honorable Mentions 

You don’t have to be in Germany or France to enjoy a spectacular Christmas market. They can be found in countries all over Europe, each with distinct offerings and traditions. Most are available for visiting for the entire month of December, with some starting in November as well.  Here are some of our favorites elsewhere in Europe! 

Skansen’s Christmas Market in Stockholm, Sweden

Viennese Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria 

Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic 

Rynek Glowny in Krakow, Poland 

Fira de Santa Llúcia in Barcelona, Spain 

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park in London, England

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Narrow cobblestone streets exude pure magic with pedestrian access to churches, chapels, homes and boutiques. Galleries filled to the brim with artisanal creativity dwell alongside street markets and a significant ex-pat community resides harmoniously with locals. The dichotomy of life in San Miguel is apparent, yet thriving in unity. 

While the historic Centro of San Miguel de Allende holds a well deserved grip on attention, venturing outside the city opens another chapter in the adventure playbook. If it’s action you seek, BajioGo offers a full menu of tours and services to fill in anyone’s holiday wish list. Hot air balloon rides over the city, ATV excursions, cooking classes, horseback riding in the country or simple walking tours of the city fill leisure time with inspirational activity.

Guanajuato’s Best Excursions 

Adrenaline junkies can participate in canyoning expeditions, abseiling, rock climbing, bungee jumping or nature hiking and biking are all possibilities exploring the awesome scenery of Sierra Gorda.

Just outside the perimeter of the city lies the archaeological zone of Cañada de la Virgen. The sixth century ancient pilgrimage site of the Otomi people offers history hounds an opportunity to view ruins of an observatory, the pyramid style temple and burial chambers.

Falling in love with San Miguel de Allende is an unavoidable consequence. Just ask ex-pat resident Amanda Keidan. After her visit and the ensuing love affair with the the city, she decided to undertake a project of passion with the 2018 purchase of the beloved Casa Delphine.  Already established at that time as a popular, well known hotel, she reimagined and remodeled the property into one of the most sought after accommodations in the city.

Mi Casa es Tu Casa Delphine

Call it niche, call it boutique, the accuracy of these descriptions is underscored by the very uniqueness of the property. It is truly an oasis of tranquility conveniently positioned a short stroll from the pulsing heart of the city. The exclusive 5 room property exudes upscale intimacy bolstered by the full service amenities of a luxury hotel.

Tucked away on a narrow cobblestone street, the covert entrance to Casa Delphine opens to a courtyard evoking the harmonious aesthetic that defines the spirit of the city. In stark contrast to the yellows, reds and browns that dominate the city’s color scheme, the brilliant white of Casa Delphine supports its inclination towards a more modern design. The two impeccable deluxe suites, two master suites and one rooftop garden suite sport ultra-comfort king size beds, tile and marble bathrooms, AC for summer days and fireplaces for the light chill of winter. 

Photo: Casa Delphine

Each room has its own terrace overlooking individual courtyards, embellished by walls of climbing vine and planted cactus. The rooftop garden suite provides for total seclusion on its private sunbathing deck complete with hot tub.

Casa Delphine’s rooftop amenities | Photo: Steve Leland

A spacious ground floor communal lounge features modern furnishings making it an ideal escape for leisure reading or afternoon repose and the adjacent room with its elongated table is a convivial venue for breakfast.

Facilitated by the hotel’s intimate size, personal attention is genuine and freely given.  Whether it be tour inquiries, dining suggestions or shopping ideas, no request goes unheeded or considered too much. First impressions are crucial and the cordial welcome by manager Alejandra and Mauricio generates an assurance that this place is a standout.  More than a room with a bed, it’s a place to call your dream home away from home.

Read part one of Steve Leland’s travels in Mexico here: The Art and Soul of San Miguel de Allende

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It seems like every big city has a Chinatown or Little Italy, but there are many places in the United States that showcase a variety of cultures you might not know about! Whether you’re looking for a traditional European experience or want some fun Latin flavor, this list of towns will take you around the world without going too far from home! 

Hermann, Missouri

Just about two hours west of St. Louis is the charming German town of Hermann. Bought by a German settler in the early 1800s, this quaint town has kept to its German heritage of Gothic architecture, German cuisine, and lively festivals. The historic district of Hermann still sports old Germanic brick buildings from the original settlement, some of which have been transformed into breweries and restaurants. The town also offers a variety of festivals each year such as the well-known Oktoberfest or even a Wurstfest dedicated to German sausages. 

Hermann, Missouri | Photo: Visit Hermann

Hermann also has an extensible history with wine as its wineries have become one of the town’s leading tourist attractions. One of the oldest wineries of the town is the Hermannhof Winery, which has a selection of delectable wines as well as a delicious deli menu. Surely a must for wine lovers.

Lindström, Minnesota

Another city that was settled in during the 1800s, Lindström is known as America’s Little Sweden. The town takes pride in its Swedish heritage, even having statues of the fictional characters Karl-Oskar and Kristina from The Emigrants series, novels describing the tales of Swedish immigrants.

Out of the several eateries in town, Lindström Bakery is one of the most popular. The bakery hits the spot with its assortment of Swedish sweets, most importantly the Scandinavian donuts that are popular with tourists and locals alike. 

Lindström is also located between quite a few lakes allowing for visitors to partake in a handful of outdoor activities. There’s fishing, walking trails, and parks to enjoy during your stay. 

Photo: Lindström Bakery

Taos, New Mexico

Two hours north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the town of Taos offers a delightful mixture of Native American and Hispanic culture. The Taos pueblo, though currently closed due to the pandemic, is an age-old Native American pueblo that attracts many tourists to the town. However, even without the pueblo’s availability, there is much to see and do in Taos. The historic plaza is a place for visitors to stroll through the original Spanish settlement of the town and find several culturally based shops. The menu of this town is also no joke with quite a few Mexican restaurants that are sure to make your mouth water.

As for outdoor activities, Taos is quite big on skiing with the Taos Ski Valley containing several ski slopes for any willing participant. Aside from that, there’s also kayaking, water rafting and for the really adventurous, rock climbing.

Photo: Taos Ski Valley

Koreatown of Palisades Park and Fort Lee, New Jersey

A rather different stop on this list, the Koreatowns of these two adjacent cities in New Jersey are worth a mention. The cultural influence of these towns does not date back as far as the others mentioned on this list as most of the Korean immigrants arrived in the 1990s. So, although there aren’t architectural imprints of the Korean culture, the Korean community is still quite strong in these areas.

The biggest attraction of any Koreatown within the US is obviously the food. Anyone is sure to be satisfied with the selection of restaurants throughout these towns. There are some great places for Korean BBQ, authentic kimchi, and tteokbokki. Another notable aspect of Korean culture is the amount of skin and self-care that is practiced. If you’re looking to relax, the traditional Korean spas are a great option! 

Photo: HanMaDang Restaurant in Fort Lee, NJ

Solvang, California

The last town on this list will really make you feel like you’ve left the US. Solvang is a Danish settlement in southeastern California not too far from Santa Barbara. Equipped with Danish architecture and its own windmills, Solvang truly feels like a pleasant little European village. Some museums within the town can give insight to visitors on the Danish heritage. As with the other locations on this list, Solvang also has a lovely selection of restaurants and bakeries that offer delicious Danish foods such as the infamous Danish pastries.

On top of that, Solvang celebrates several annual events like the Solvang Grape Stomp, a self-explanatory wine-lovers festival, and Danish Days, which celebrates the Danish culture of the town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Your summer travels may look different this year but that doesn’t mean they can’t be just as fun! Make the scenic drive up or down the CA coastline and into the Santa Ynez Valley to get lost in Denmark, err Solvang ⁠ ⁠ Taking a last minute trip? Be sure to tag us in your photos @solvangusa & #solvangusa!⁠ ⁠ @eme_ere

A post shared by Solvang, California (@solvangusa) on Sep 1, 2020 at 10:55am PDT

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It’s only a matter of time before the leaves begin changing to their warm color tones and get swept away to the ground, giving many an undeniable urge to jump into piles. So, keeping the spirit of autumn in mind, here are some must-dos when you take your Fall 2020 road trip! 

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkins are a staple of the fall season. Not only do they taste delicious when baked into a pie, but they can be carved and morphed any way you want. As autumn rolls in, there are many pumpkin patches that come along with it. Of course, visiting one on a trip makes it a bit harder to pick out that one special pumpkin to create a jack-o’-lantern, but pumpkin picking isn’t all there is to do. Most pumpkin patches are attached to humble farms that offer various activities such as hayrides, corn mazes, and fruit picking (a much easier snacking alternative on trips than a pumpkin). Some farms, such as Deal Family Farm in Franklin, NC, even offer haunted mazes for those of you more in touch with the spooky side of autumn.

Hotels? Nah, it’s Cabin Season

Although log cabins may be thought upon for their cozy appeal during winter vacations, they shouldn’t be overlooked in the fall. One of the easiest ways to get closer in touch with nature is to truly immerse yourself within it. There are copious log cabin rentals littered across the map, tucked between trees and sidled up next to creeks or rivers. Renting a cabin is both a relaxing and rewarding experience that can connect you with the environment and allow for life to slow down just a little.

Some of the best places to rent log cabins is on or near a mountain range. Areas such as the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia and the Great Smoky Mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina are perfect for finding cabins near gorgeous scenery.

Find a Trail and Get Moving

Time to dig your hiking shoes out of the closet and get some well needed fresh air. Autumn is a relatively temperate season, which makes it perfect for tackling longer hiking trails. The best part about hiking is the ability to choose a trail suitable to you. Trails can range from being strenuous with many ups and downs to just a simple walk around a nice lake. For example, there is the beautiful Beehive Trail that takes you along cliffsides by the water in the Acadia National Park of Maine. Despite being just short of a mile long, this hike is considered difficult due to its heavy terrain. On the other hand, there are trails such as the Turkey Neck Trail in Montross, VA, which is a longer three-mile trail, but rated as a moderate hike. Every trail has its own beauty to it with chances of seeing wildlife or taking in picturesque views of lakes and foliage.

Tired of Walking? Ride a Horse!

For the last fall activity on this list, horseback riding offers all the fun of going on a hike without having to do any of the ups and downs yourself. There’s also the added bonus of gaining a new equine friend. Guided horseback trails allow for riders to sit back and enjoy the world without any worries of getting lost. There’s something unequivocally exciting about strolling around while on horseback, and it can be accomplished by total amateurs. The Marriott Ranch in Hume, VA offers guided trails for any level rider that take at least an hour long. Another great location for guided trails is Anne Springs Close Greenway located in Fort Mill, SC where you can book one to one and a half hour rides. (The Anne Springs Close Greenway also has tons of other outdoor activities such as kayaking and endless trails to hike).

Where would you go on a Fall 2020 road trip? Let us know in the comments below!

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Answer: In 2020 ‘’It’ brought the travel industry to a standstill.

Question: What is COVID-19?

“2020 Travel Potpourri for $400 Alex”

Answer: The duration of the 2020 international travel lockdown.

Question: What is six months and six days?

“2020 Travel Potpourri for $600 Alex” (ding ding ding ding). It’s the daily double!

“I’ll risk it all Alex” …OK…here is the answer.

He was one of the last people on an active cruise in March and one of the first to break out of the ‘pandemic prison’ in September.

Question: Who is Porthole writer, Steve Leland ?   Correct!

With this pesky worldwide virus testing my patience, sharing nightly dinner times with Alex Trebek had become a calm in the face of a storm routine. But I’m not one to succumb to sedate conformity, so as soon as I spotted a travel lockdown loophole I plotted my escape.  While land border crossings between the US and Mexico officially remain closed, flights into the country are allowed. So, with the musical ditty of Final Jeopardy playing in the background, JetBlue and I took off for Mexico’s Riviera Maya. 

I promised in an earlier post to take you along if I succeeded in my jailbreak. I’m making good on that pledge and here is the first in a three part series on this adventure of travel so stay tuned right here. 

Taking Flight

Flying has never ranked as the most enjoyable component of travel but with current day reality things have changed and generally for the better.  Entering the Ft. Lauderdale airport presents a bizarre image of fellow masked marauders, cautiously navigating their way through new protocols. Social distancing has gained acceptance and aggressive activity of the past has been tempered. Online check-in has noticeably gained momentum resulting in a shorter, spaced out queue at the airport.

My propensity to travel light with only a carry on is even more appropriate advocating the prospect of checked bags passing through numerous hands before claiming them at the other end. Passing through newly configured plexiglassed security is essentially the same with the traditional shoes off, phone out routine but the plastic personal item trays garnered a degree of heightened awareness. Imagine how many grimy travel fingers touch these Russian Roulette bins of bacteria during a day’s journey on the conveyor belt.  Keeping that thought in mind, limited discretionary touching should be held to a minimum.Hand sanitizing dispensers were prominently placed after passing through although sadly, all three were empty.

The usual rugby scrum of boarding at the gate has been tackled by implementing the sensible process of calling the back of the plane seats first. This avoids everyone in the back passing within inches of front seated seated travelers as they make their trek down the aisle, not to mention being held up while overhead bin hogs try to stuff in their massive steamer trunks. 

Look But Don’t Touch

Some suggested flight essentials should include a small bottle of hand sanitizer that will make it through security, a small packet of disinfectant wipes and at least two masks. Once seated, a good wipe down of everything within reach should be routine and by all means avoid the back of the seat pockets, as if your life depended on it. (It might!)

Airline policies vary but JetBlue has implemented the welcomed policy of leaving the middle seat open. While in-flight service is limited, a prepackaged packet of snacks is handed out upon boarding to satisfy the munchies. Nearly every airline now requires masks to be worn during the entire duration of the flight, except when eating.

Bienvenidos!

With health screening protocols in place, arrival in Cancun instills confidence that international travel can coexist with pandemic pandemonium. Prior to arrival guests must fill out a document  concerning potential COVID-19 exposure and health history. Temperature checks are conducted after passing through immigration.

While taxis are available, we opted to prearrange a private driver for our transfer needs.

The hotels of the Riviera Maya have taken serious steps to mitigate the potential health risks by implementing required protocols. Over 4700 Quintana Roo businesses have complied and received the government issued Certification in Health Protection designation.

With the proper precautions and awareness, I feel good about travel to Mexico. At least for now, the best part is that the crowds of the past are still hunkering down at home. 

With that being said I’m ready to enjoy.

“I’ll take, Tequila Potpourri for $200, Alex”.

Next chapter…..Escape From The Bummer Of A Summer.

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If you find yourself to be one of these spooky-spirited individuals, this list of creepy museums is just what you need for traveling along the east coast.

Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum – Littleton, NC

We’ve all surely heard of Bigfoot in one way or another, but how much do you really know about the guy? Just off of Route 158 that runs along northern North Carolina, there is a small museum dedicated to the paranormal. It encompasses anything from stories of ghosts and hauntings to whatever may lie in between. The museum dedicates most of its findings to cryptids, creatures thought to have a questionable existence such as the aforementioned bigfoot, or even vampires. It’s a quaint museum in a small town, which gives off a nice sense of community as sightings or ghost tales can be reported by visitors themselves.

Photo: Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum

Salem Witch Museum – Salem, MA

What’s a spook-filled list without the birthplace of the American witch? Located in Salem, MA, the site of the historic witch trials, this museum gives visitors an insight as to why such trials ever took place. You will finally find out who the real-life witches of Salem were. Not only does this museum provide information on a well-known part of American history, but it also offers a reenactment of such events. The museum takes you back to the year 1692 to experience what the infamous witch trials were all about.

Photo: Salem Witch Museum

Mütter Museum – Philadelphia, PA

A well-stocked medical and anatomical museum, the Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia showcases various collections in a cabinet-style fashion. The museum holds an array of wet and skeletal specimens (wet being jarred parts of the human body kept in fluid for preservation). There’s nothing quite as spooky or unsettling as viewing real anatomical skeletons and organs. An interesting collection within this museum is the various medical instruments on display that can date back to the 17^th century, allowing visitors to learn about medical practice from way back when. There are several exhibits that remain year-round, but the museum does create new ones from time to time. An example would be an exhibit on infections they created in November of 2019. 

Photo: Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians

Paranormal Books & Curiosities – Asbury Park, NJ

Right by the coast of New Jersey is another museum packed with oddities. The biggest feat of this museum is its wide array of paranormal books that cover anything from ghost hunting to history of such unnatural phenomena. Not a heavy reader? That’s fine. The museum has its own collection of haunted items or cryptic artifacts. And if you’re the type to enjoy immersive experiences with the supernatural, this museum also offers ghost tours, tarot readings, and seances. What more could a Halloween-enthusiast ask for?

Photo: Paranormal Books & Curiosities

Edgar Allan Poe Museum – Richmond, VA

If your appreciation of everything dark and spooky stems from reading eerie poems then this museum is a definite stop. Though the Poe Museum may not be as haunting as the others on this list, it is still devoted to an author who embodied all things cryptic and gothic in his works. Learn about the wild mind that brought works such as “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee” to life. Poe’s involvement in the literary world is brought to light in this highly informative museum. A garden in one of Poe’s works, “To One in Paradise,” is even made a reality here.

Photo: Edgar Allan Poe Museum

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