The post Top Weekend Getaways in the US to Take in the Fall appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is beautiful any time of year, but we find it to be a much more pleasant destination when the summer heat has gone. Special fall tours of the city are held throughout October, and we especially love to visit the farmer’s market, which runs until the end of November.
Woodstock, Vermont
We’d be remiss not to mention a foliage-centered spot, and Woodstock is definitely one of the best. The town is also home to several orchards for picking your own apples and the famous Billing’s Farm, where you can play pumpkin bowling.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe has some of the best fall festivals in the country. The weather is ideal throughout the month of October, and the Harvest Festival, International Balloon Fiesta, and Wine and Chile Fiesta are all worth the trip.
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]]>The post Four Corners Monument: Stand in 4 U.S. States at Once appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The four states are Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, and their borders intersect in a concise X-shape form that creates a near-perfect 90-degree angle for each state’s corner.
Tourist Hotspot
In fact, the unique nature of this intersection is what landed the location its nickname: Four Corners Monument. Although it’s considered to be a landmark of Colorado, the obvious joke is that you can get there just as easily from any of the other three states.
Over the years, Four Corners Monument has emerged as a hotspot for tourists to take photos at, posting snapshots to their Instagram for some lovely bragging rights.
A Unique History
Historically, the Southern region of the area actually used to be part of Mexico, until it was acquired by North America after the 1848 Mexican-American war. In 1912, a bronze marker was added to the location, noting its uniquely uniform nature.
So if you were wondering whether you can be in four places at once, the answer is yes! But you obviously have to take a picture to prove it.
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]]>San Estévan del Rey
Finished in 1641, this gorgeous church which is a mixture of indigenous and Spanish colonial architectural styles can be found in the remote town of Acoma in western New Mexico. Named as a National Historic Landmark, it’s a stunning example of the simple churches erected.
San Miguel Mission
Located in the northern New Mexico city of Santa Fe, San Miguel Mission is known as the oldest still-existing church in the United States. Built in 1610, not all of the original structure remains, but it has been rebuilt and can be visited to see its art and adobe architecture.
San Gregorio de Abó
While the structure is no longer intact, what can be observed is San Gregorio de Abó’s ruins near the town of Mountainair, south of Albuquerque. Excavated in the 1930s, you can see how Spanish colonizers attempted to impose their way of life on the natives at this remote site.
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]]>You definitely should go to the Taos Pueblo while you’re visiting, as it is a living relic of history. The community was inhabited by the Native American Puebloan people for over 1,000 years, and most of the buildings that are still standing have been around for 600-1,000 years.
There are so many different places to experience art in Taos, but one that you cannot miss it the Harwood Museum of Art. The pieces are all done by local artists and you really get a feel for the region through their art.
Another interesting museum that combines art and local jewelry is the Millicent Rogers Museum. Millicent donated much of her locally made turquoise jewelry to be on display, but the museum also has many other pieces by famous people like Maria Martinez the famous potter, as well as pieces of art from up to 2,000 years ago.
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]]>The post If You Love to Pick Up Special Mementos of Your Trips, Go to These Places for Amazing Jewels! appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Pearls
Just off the mainland of Spain is the Island of Mallorca, known to be one of the most stunning islands in Europe and definitely the world. There are so many gorgeous beaches and things to do outside, but the island is also famous for another reason: imitation pearls. Though it sounds like these would be cheap pearls, the way they engineer them they come closer to the real thing than any other place in the world, so still expect to shell out a good bit of money.
Turquoise
Turquoise is a sacred stone for many Native American tribes, and since a lot of them are found in the American southwest, you can find ample pieces made from this gorgeous stone all across this region. Though it is used by artisans as well, a lot of Native American people will sell it in different market settings, which feels really special, and it’s definitely an amazing memory to bring home from your trip to places like Arizona or New Mexico.
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]]>House of Eternal Return
This unique attraction is part haunted house, part choose-your-own-adventure and part jungle gym. Piece together clues and stumble through secret passages to access strange and exciting “other worlds.”
The World’s Largest Pistachio
The world’s largest pistachio stands at 30ft tall and is a perfect photo opp. It’s nuts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRcse0FlqHu/
Musical Highway
There’s a strip on Route 66 which will play “America the Beautiful” if you drive along it at the right speed. That speed is exactly 45 mph.
Roswell McDonalds
This McDonalds is the only space themed McDonalds in the entire world. The theme fits rumors of the UFO incident that occurred in the town.
Dawn Light Sanctuary
The sanctuary uses prisms to transform light into rainbows. It is a peaceful, beautiful room perfect for taking a break from the world to reflect.
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]]>The post Visit “Breaking Bad” Filming Sites in Albuquerque appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
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Los Pollos Hermanos
Los Pollos Hermanos, Gustavo Fring’s chicken restaurant/front for his drugs business, exists, except in reality it’s a Mexican restaurant called Twisters.
The restaurant is quite proud of its Breaking Bad past, and you can still find the Los Pollos Hermanos sign on the wall as well as the booth Walter White sat in!
Visit the restaurant at: 4257 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105
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Saul Goodman’s Office
Another famous Breaking Bad site is the law office of Saul Goodman, Walter and Jesse’s lawyer. It’s the home of a store called Hooligans, but you can still find the door to Saul’s office there as an ode to the show.
Find it at: 9800 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
The Car Wash
Need to get your car washed? Why don’t you do it at the Whites’ A1 car wash?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfEtTtAAmTv/?tagged=breakingbadcarwash
Find it at: 9516 Snowheights Cir NE (Menaul & Eubank), Albuquerque, NM 87112
Walter White’s House
The current owners of the White residence don’t appreciate having pizzas thrown on their roof, like Walter did in one episode. So if you choose to visit Walter’s house, please be respectful of the people who live there and keep your distance.
Find it at: 3828 Piermont Dr NE Albuquerque, NM 87111
Jesse Pinkman’s House
The house went through some renovations and doesn’t quite look like it did on the show anymore. So keep that in mind as you look for it. Here, too, please be respectful of the residents!
https://www.instagram.com/p/tJHn-OA_mO/?tagged=jessepinkmanhouse
Find it at: 322 16th St SW Albuquerque, NM 8710
Gustavo Fring’s Laundry Business & Meth Lab
In real life, it’s a business called Delta Uniform & Linens, but we all know what’s going on in there, don’t we?
https://www.instagram.com/p/si8C5gqEwm/?taken-at=59491255
Find it at: 1617 Candelaria Road Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87107
Buy some “blue meth”
Several businesses in the city have decided to embrace their Breaking Bad fame and are selling candy that looks like the blue meth Walter and Jesse cook on the show.
Visit The Candy Lady (24 Romero Street Northwest Albuquerque, NM 87104) to “cook” some blue meth with Walter and Jesse and try out the candy. They also have a selection of exclusive T-shirt designs.
You can also find some “meth donuts” at Rebel Donut (400 Gold Ave. SW Albuquerque NM 87102). Aaron Paul, aka Jesse, sure seems stoked about them!
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]]>The post Get Your Kicks on Route 66: New Mexico appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Glenrio, NM
Right as you cross over the state line, you’ll drive past Glenrio, which is half in Texas and half in New Mexico. But that’s not the only interesting thing about it.
At Russell’s Truck & Travel Center (I-49, exit 369) you’ll find a hidden gem: a free, unofficial auto museum. It is a rather impressive private collection of cars and memorabilia that’ll make you feeling nostalgic. There’s a donation box at the entrance for you to show your appreciation, with 100% of the money going to help feed the poor.
Santa Rosa, NM
If you can’t make it to Russell’s, there’s a Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa as well. Not only can you check out a bunch of gorgeous classic cars, you can also hang out with Mater from the movie Cars!
Need to cool off from the hot New Mexico weather? Take a dive into the Santa Rosa Blue Hole.
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Tucumcari, NM
Tucumcari has really embraced its Route 66 heritage and has quite a few things to offer, including a rather cool monument in front of the Tucumcari Convention Center.
The city is also home to a Route 66 Museum, which focuses on the Mother Road’s history in the state of New Mexico.
The Blue Swallow Motel is one of the most photographed spots on Route 66. With its neon sign and groovy design, you can certainly see why!
Tee Pee Curios used to be a gas station back in the hayday of Route 66. Now it’s mostly selling Route 66 keepsakes. It’s also a great photo op spot!
Who doesn’t like dinosaurs? At the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum you can find 10,000 square foot of dinosaur skeletons alongside many other exhibits!
Albuquerque, NM
No trip to New Mexico is complete without a visit to the ABQ. If you spend the night in the city, make sure you take a tour History & Ghost Tours of Old Town, a story-telling 90 minute walk around the main square and dark alleys of Old Town.
If you’re too much of a scaredy cat, there are other ways to spend your evening in Albuquerque. You can catch a show at the old KiMo theater, which was built in 1927 and to this day offers some of the best entertainment in town, from theater shows to film screenings, concerts and even backstage tours. Though we must warn you, there have been reported ghost hauntings in the building, though those have been “disproven” so far.
Feeling hungry? Visit the 66 Diner, a classic diner with good ol’ American food.
If you’ve enjoyed all of the neon signs on the Route 66 businesses in the city, go straight to the source: Absolutely Neon.
Gallup, NM
Shortly before leaving New Mexico, you’ll be driving through Gallup. The shopaholics among you can go rummaging for treasure at Richardson’s Trading Post. It has been operating as a trader with the nearby reservation since 1913, offering a massive selection of Native American gems, including some gorgeous rugs and jewelry.
NATUREIf you’re looking for a place to stay the night, look no further than the El Rancho Hotel. Other than the Wild West hunting lodge feel it has going on, the hotel, built in 1937, played host to Hollywood elite – including Ronald Reagan, Katharine Hepburn, and John Wayne – as they were filming in the area.
As we bid farewell to the Land of Enchantment, we prepare to cross over to Arizona, where more adventure awaits!
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Mackinac Island, Michigan
This Victorian village doesn’t allow cars, so it’s a quaint and peaceful little island to visit. Bike your way around all 70 acres of the island, and check out Fort Holmes and Fort Mackinac, while munching on the island’s famous fudge.
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Ojai, California
A wellness oasis in Southern California, Ojai is full of new age shops, galleries, and delicious food. You can visit the Ojai Olive Oil Company and the Ojai Vineyard to sample the local fare or visit the delightful Moroccan hammam-style spa.
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Sedona, Arizona
Apart from the excellent hiking and mountain biking trails, and its outdoor restaurants, Sedona is dotted with spas where you can enjoy all sorts of unique treatments. The Sedona Clay Wrap at the Mii Amo spa in the Boynton Canyon uses the region’s characteristic red clay.
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Santa Fe, New Mexico
There’s so much to do in this city that demands that you walk, rather than ride. If you love turquoise jewelry, there is a huge selection near the plaza. Check out the numerous art galleries and sculpture gardens.
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