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Visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico

Heaven on Earth in Picacho Mountains

February 6, 2026

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Someone asked me recently why we are traveling through Mexico? She phrased the question this way; Why are you are spending so much time in Mexico because you usually go places more exotic? Wait. What? If you are a long time follower of this blog, you will know we go everywhere, including Mexico. I’m aware that many Americans travel to Cancun, Cabo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta…beach resorts. But our favorite places in Mexico are in the interior, where you can find “exotic”, beautiful, delicious, historic cultures and cuisines. And this is why we took a week to Visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico, Heaven on Earth in the Picacho Mountains.

View of San Miguel de Allende from our hotel rooftop

Where is San Miguel de Allende?

San Miguel de Allende (SMA) is located in Central Mexico. Many visitors to San Miguel take a luxury bus from Mexico City, about 4 hour drive. We however flew into Queretaro International Airport coming from Merida. Queretaro is the major airport servicing SMA and the Guanajuato region. We hired a driver to take us the hour and a bit to San Miguel.

Located in eastern Guanajuato, Mexico, within the high-altitude and dormant Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt San Miguel’s elevation approximately 1,910 meters (6,270 ft). It is characterized by a semi-arid, temperate climate, rugged terrain with several surrounding peaks, and a position on the Laja River tributary.

San Miguel de Allende is in the Guanajuato region of Central Mexico

The coldest time of the year in San Miguel de Allende is typically late December through January, with January being the coldest month overall. During this period, average nightly lows drop to around 36 F with highs in the low to mid 70’s F. During our January visit we saw one overnight of 46 F and high of 77 F. May is generally considered the hottest month, with average highs around 84°F–88°F (29–31 C). While days are hot, evenings remain relatively comfortable, though nighttime temperatures increase, with lows in the mid-50s°F

Visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico

The mild mountain temperatures make SMA a hotspot for American and Canadian visitors escaping the cold northern climate. A good reason to Visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico.

Long and Fascinating History

Founded in 1542 by Fray Juan de San Miguel as a strategic outpost on the silver route, San Miguel de Allende evolved from a 16th-century Spanish garrison into a prosperous 18th-century colonial center. It played a critical role in the Mexican War of Independence, ultimately becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its preserved baroque architecture and vibrant arts scene.

Former home of wealthy merchant today this beautiful building is a bank and museum

The UNESCO World Heritage Site designation did not happen until July 8, 2008, at a time when many of the historic structures were about to be modernized. The designation, which includes the nearby Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco, was awarded for its exceptional 16th-century Spanish colonial architecture, cultural integrity, and its historical role in the Mexican War of Independence. The Centro area of SMA is now preserved.

There is much more history to this beautiful city and I recommend you explore with a historian. We did so with Elise Torres, who helped us understand the Spanish, indigenous and slave history of the mountainous region. Consider starting with a GPSMyCity walk on your own, but learn much more with a local guide like Elise at Taste of San Miguel. To be honest, we were not impressed with the Museo Historico and recommend you spend time with a guide instead.

Jardin Allende

The main, central plaza in San Miguel de Allende is popularly known as El Jardín (or Jardín Allende), located directly in front of the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. It serves as the city’s vibrant, tree-shaded heart, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and historic colonial buildings.

Locals, visitors and nightly mariachi bands make this beautiful park the place to be. With spokes of streets off in all directions, you can find beautiful shops, delicious restaurants and historic places surrounding Jardin Allende.

Clean and bright and cheerful Jardin Allende

Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

Often referred mistakenly as a cathedral, the Parish of San Miguel Arcangel is not the oldest, but certainly the most iconic structure in San Miguel de Allende. All walking tours will include this incredibly beautiful structure, but here is a bit of history to share I found online;

“Originally built in the late 17th century with a modest facade, the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel in San Miguel de Allende was famously transformed in the 1880s by indigenous mason Zeferino Gutiérrez. Inspired by European Gothic cathedrals and working from postcards, Gutiérrez designed the iconic, pink limestone neo-Gothic spires by drawing in the sand with a stick for his workmen. This stunning, soaring structure, which serves as the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage town, represents a unique blend of local craftsmanship and European inspiration, instantly recognized as the symbol of the city.”

The detail of this structure is incredible

It’s really important that you see this church at all times of the day (especially after dark) to really appreciate the magnificence of the pink local stone and design.

For a unique and colorful view of the Parish, view it from Aldamo Street, one of the most colorful streets in all of San Miguel de Allende.

Aldamo Street is popular photo stop for visitors

Mercado

As in every city we visit, we enjoy a wander through the local Mercado. In San Miguel we visited the Mercado Ignacio Ramirez, a colorful but not huge market for the locals. It’s a great place to wander and photograph the colorful produce, meats and flowers. I also recommend having lunch or a snack at the many local booths.

We also visited the Mercado de Artesanias, a very large market of local artisans. Overall SMA is more expensive than many Mexican cities, including for locally made crafts. However, we found the prices at the Mercado de Artesanias less expensive than in the shops near the Jardin Allende.

Off the Beaten Path

Our week long stay gave us time to wander beyond the center and we loved some of the discoveries we found. This is the kind of city you really want to take some time to get lost, although it is also laid out mostly in a grid, so you can’t get too lost. In our wanderings we found these incredible spots;

Colorful hidden gems throughout this magnificent city

Biblioteque Publica

One of the most incredible places we visited, is this fantastic cultural center and library of San Miguel. Providing library service to both locals and visitors (with a large English section) the Biblioteque is located in a former Hogar de Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana. The beautiful building is 18th-century, founded by Father José Hipólito de Aguado as a home for women. Expropriated in 1862 during the War of the Reform, the structure later served as a town market before becoming the library’s home in 1958. Check out the wide array of classes, readings, children’s activities, concerts, theater and more.

The Biblioteque gift shop is a work of art, and sells locally made products

Murals Guadalupe

I saw a reference to Guadalupe Street somewhere, but did not find much information in any of the blogs or tourism info. So we decided to just go looking for what I believed to be an artist neighborhood. And we found it. Guadalupe is a small, residential neighborhood outside the Centro to the north, that is home to a variety of beautiful and interesting murals. Because it is outside the UNESCO area, the murals are allowed. Walls and fences and gates of houses and businesses are home to colorful and fun murals. Definitely worth a walk about.

I love the broom coming out of her eye, a woman had been sweeping as we arrived

Museo la Esquino

On the same day we wandered into the Murals Guadalupe we also stumbled upon the Museo la Esquino (Toy Museum). This incredible museum is not listed in any of the tourism sites I explored, and it was one of the best museums I have been in recently. Unfortunately no English, but there are guided tours you can book ahead. We explored this remarkable collection of both old and new toys from around the country, and marveled at some of the intricate work by artisans and local people. An absolute must see when in San Miguel de Allende.

Many handcrafted little gems in this wonderful toy museum

Charco del Ingenio Botanical Gardens

Another place not enough visitors to San Miguel see is the Charco del Ingenio Botanical Gardens. Perched on a hill high above the city, you can easily take a taxi or an Uber. But you know us…we walked! Straight up! It was a work out but worth it.

The arid mountainous region is home to a vast array of cacti

We visit botanical gardens around the world, most are usually manicured collection of both indigenous and plants from around the world. Others, like the Charco del Ingenio, is all native, with trails and signage in a natural setting. The gardens are expansive, include a reservoir and a canyon too! You will also find an stunning view overlooking the city below.

During our visit we enjoyed identifying seven new-to-us birds, as well as several other unique birds to the arid mountainous region. Entrance fee is only $5 USD. Don’t miss this walk in nature.

Do not miss a visit to Charco del Ingenio Botanical Gardens

Things For Our Next Visit

We did not see everything. And we are intrigued to return for a longer stay. There are more hiking trails we could explore as well as horseback riding. The historic town of Delores is nearby and is said to be the site of the Mexican Independence birth.

The UNESCO Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco is located in the small village of Atotonilco, about 7 miles (14 km) north of San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.

Additionally from December through March, the mountainous area about four hours from SMA is home to the remarkable, annual, return of the Monarch Butterflies. A guided tour is all day (up to 14 hours) so we chose to save this for when we next Visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico.

Food Glorious Food

Cooking Class And More

One of the best things I did while in San Miguel de Allende is take a cooking class with Azteca Entertainment and Chef Miguel. As you know I love taking cooking classes all around the world, and of course you can never go wrong with Mexican food. Chef Miguel was such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher as he guided me and five other ladies from the USA through an amazing four hours of cooking and eating. We made Mole (MOH-lay), and the recipe was less intimidating than some I have learned. Our class also included traditional Mexican Rice, and two salsas. We enjoyed chocolate water (something new to me) as well as lots of delicious local wine.

On my next visit I would also consider Azteca Entertainment for a Vineyard Tour with Food (see website) and possibly even a chef’s dinner. If you plan a visit to San Miguel please do not miss any of these experiences with Chef Miguel and Azteca Entertainment.

Delicious Mole Enmolada and Mexican Rice

Where to Eat

We ate exceptionally well while in San Miguel de Allende. Here are a list of my favorites for your consideration;

Bastardo – casual fresh delicious in a hidden garden two blocks from the center.

B’ani Rooftop – Rooftop dining is popular in San Miguel because the way the city is perched on a mountain. We had an outstanding fresh grill here that we shared on a beautiful day. Amazing

Cafe de la Parroquia – On our walking tour we enjoyed a lovely light lunch at La Valise and the guacamole was the best

La Choperia – while watching American Football one night we enjoyed a giant burger at La Choperia, along with a lot of other screaming American football fans.

La Luna Terrazzo in the Rosewood Hotel – the place to go for stunning dinner with a sunset view, this fine dining restaurant was a bit of splurge for us, but we enjoyed lovely cocktails, pasta and wine with exceptional service.

Local Mexican wines are surprisingly delicious

Tostevere – this hidden gem in the lower area of the Centro is tiny. Reservations are recommended, but we managed a table and were so grateful we chose this as our final dinner. Outstanding food and service, fresh and delicious. I highly recommend.

Where to Stay

We stayed in a lovely boutique hotel called Casa Maricela, about two blocks from Jardin Allende. It was on a quiet street and included an incredible breakfast. One of the most amazing things about Casa Maricela was the rooftop terrace. We enjoyed it so much morning, noon and night. So grateful we chose this lovely property. We paid about $80 USD per night.

The beautiful view from the terrace at Casa Maricela

Very comfortable room with great storage

Visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico

I have heard about this town for many years and I am so glad we finally got to visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico. We definitely were smitten, and it’s easy to see why so many Americans and Canadians come here for the winter. Perfect weather, amazing food, great culture and beauty for miles. I certainly think we will come again and stay longer. Thank you for reading my post Visit San Miguel de Allende Mexico.

Let me know if you have any questions, and we love it when you share, comment and pin our blog posts. Gracias!

See last week’s post Merida a Cultural Gem in Yucatan Mexico.

Stay tuned for more amazing Mexico soon! Our next stop Mexico City.

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Merida A Cultural Gem In Yucatan Mexico

January 30, 2026

Laureen

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Location: Yucatan Peninsula

Someone asked me recently how many UNESCO sites we have visited? Oh my goodness. A LOT. Yes I should try to add that up, but there are thousands and thousands and we have certainly been blessed to see hundreds. And Merida Yucatan is new addition to the list. We had five days in this beautiful city, and here are my recommendations, Merida A Cultural Gem in Yucatan Mexico.

Enjoying Plaza Mayor in Merida and the unique confident or kissing chairs through out the city

The Mayans

I have been intrigued by the Mayan Culture since I was in grade school. As a traveler we have explored many of this civilization’s vast and interesting sites. A little history lesson for you; The Maya civilization is significantly older than the Aztec, with the Maya developing complex societies from around 2000 BC and reaching their Classic Period peak (250–900 AD) long before the Aztec Empire’s rise in the 14th century, though both cultures thrived in Mesoamerica and influenced each other.

The Maya civilization developed in the Maya Region, an area that today comprises southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador. (Wikipedia)

Maya Civilization region was vast (Wikipedia)

By the time the Spanish arrived in what we now call Mexico, the Maya people had left their ruling communities such as Chichen Itza (more on this later) but their descendants were still in the region. The Aztecs however had risen to power, and it is their civilization that the Spanish decimated on arrival. And yet today, many people of the area can trace their heritage to both Maya and Aztec ancestors.

Merida History

Merida’s history blends Mayan heritage with Spanish conquest. Founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo on the ancient Mayan city of T’ho, the Spanish used stones from the ruins of T’ho for colonial buildings, creating a unique fusion seen in its architecture. The city became a significant colonial hub. In the 1800’s the process of turning sisal (henequen ) into rope and twine created a very wealthy class of merchants. The wealth is evident today in grand mansions on Paseo de Montejo. Merida in the 21st Century is a vibrant cultural capital, preserving Mayan traditions, distinct cuisine, and colonial charm, making Merida A Cultural Gem in Yucatan Mexico.

Things to do in the City

Take a guided walking tour or do a self guided tour like we did using GPS My City. Highlights for us included:

Plaza Mayor – the main square of old town Merida where people gather day and night and festivals and events take place regularly.

Cathedral de Merida – right on the Plaza Mayor you will find a beautiful cathedral that graces the city, dating back to 1540. It is said to be the second oldest Cathedral in Latin America.

Casa de los Montejo – dating back to 1540, this historic gem has served as a mansion for generations and today houses a bank and museum. Pay particular attention to the ornate facade.

Mercado Lucas de Gálvez is the largest and most central market in Mérida, spanning 45,000 square meters and hosting over 2,000 vendors. Just steps from Plaza Grande, it’s a key destination for local produce, street food, crafts, and daily essentials in the historic city center. I have been to A LOT of markets around the world, and this one blew my mind. Don’t miss it. And while you are in the area, walk through the streets surrounding the Mercado, where the locals do their shopping. It’s like a completely different city than the tourism zone.

Colorful and lively Mercado Lucas de Gálvez

Government Palace – don’t expect a bureaucratic building, this lime green gem is home to a fantastic art collection that you must not miss.

Art collection tells the story of the people of the region in large beautiful mural style paintings by **Fernando Castro Pacheco**

Church of the Third Order of Jesus – look closely at the exterior of this cathedral and you can see how it was built (like much of this city) with stones from the Mayan pyramids of Th’o.

Moorish House – a little off the beaten path but worth making the short detour, this beautiful building has been recently restored and expanded. Over the years it has served as the US Consulate, a maternity hospital and a private home.

Paseo de Montejo – Stretching from Santa Ana to the center of Merida, this avenue is where residents have strolled for generations. Home to many of the palaces built during the wealthy sisal period, it is also home to restaurants and shops. Be sure to check out Camara Houses, Canton Palace (home of the Yucatan Regional Museum) and Quinta Mones Molina House with a really interesting museum and self guided tour.

Canton Palace home to the Yucatan Regional Museum

Day Trips Outside the City

East

Chichen Itza – less than two hour drive from Merida is the UNESCO World Heritage archeology site of Chichen Itza. This complex of Mayan ruins includes a massive step pyramid, known as El Castillo or Temple of Kukulcan. Chichen Itza thrived from around 600 A.D. to the 1200s. Graphic stone carvings survive at structures like the ball court, Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of the Skulls. There are tour buses and private tours available from Merida. I recommend you arrive before they open at 8am to beat the crowds. The large tour buses arrive around 9am.

Izamal – many Chichen Itza tours also stop for a brief visit to the “Yellow City” of Izamal. I would not recommend a special trip to Izamal, but a brief stop on a Chichen Itza tour is nice. We wandered the colonial streets and convent area, built on top of a Maya settlement from 2000 years ago.

Southeast

Cenotes – the Yucatan Peninsula is home to 10,500 cenotes (at least). These are a collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. The term is a Mayan word originating on the Yucatán Peninsula, where the ancient Maya commonly used cenotes for water supplies, and occasionally for sacrificial offerings. The small town of Homun near Merida is home to multiple cenotes open to the public. You can visit these on your own, but we chose to go with a full day tour, which took us to four beautiful cenotes. We swam in the beautiful crystal clear blue water under ground. It was a great day.

Fully underground Cenote lit with artificial lighting

Southwest

Campeche – this beautiful ancient walled city is about two hours from Merida. It is one of the reasons we chose Merida as a central hub to stay and access many things in the surrounding region. I have had my eye on Campeche for some time. This Spanish Colonial city, once a walled fortress, dates back to the 16th century. We really enjoyed the colorful town, walking the remaining wall, the cathedral, the historic fort and the Gulf of Mexico. Being on the sea, the seafood in Campeche is also great, and we had a marvelous lunch at Marganzo Restaurante. Campeche warrants a couple of days if you have the time to spare.

Becal Jipajapa

I saved the best for last. We visited Becal to see the art of Jipajapa hat making. This was my favorite thing we did during our Yucatan visit. Becal is an hour from Merida and we made the stop on our way to Campeche. We visited a tiny local museum to learn about the iconic Jipajapa artistic hat making (also known as Panama Hat). Jipijapa refers primarily to a type of high-quality, handwoven hat made from the leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant. The best part though was visiting a local third generation family artisan workshop.

Chari making a work of art in the cave. The wooden block hat form she is using was handed down from her grandma’s grandma

Here we were given a private demonstration of how the fibers are grown, dried, processed and dyed. Then lovely Chari, known around the world for her Jipa talent, gave us a one on one demonstration. We sat in the cool underground cave where the hats are made to keep the fiber moist while handling it. It’s difficult to describe how incredible her nimble fingers are as she created her works of art. Of course I went home with a hat of my own. Do not miss visiting Chari when you are in Becal. Ask your guide to take you to Lool Jipa Chari.

Eating and Sleeping

We spent five night in Merida. The Casa Continental Hotel in the Santa Ana neighborhood of the historic center was a great find. Just outside the busiest area, but close enough to walk to everything. Really kind staff and the rooms were just beautiful. We paid just over $70 USD per night.

Breakfast

We opted most mornings to have fruit and yogurt in our room. We did have an amazing breakfast on our first morning, right across the street from our hotel at Marmalade. Highly recommend.

Lunch

It’s always good to eat where the locals eat and we had amazing, cheap tacos at Taqueria de La Union. We also enjoyed our first ever Gorditas at Gordita Dona Gorda. Watch the ladies make your Gordita as you wait. Fast, cheap, delicious.

Interesting new-to-us tacos like Turkey in black mole sauce at Taqueria de La Union

Made to order Gorditas at Gordita Dona Gorda

Dinner

We headed to Chaya Maya for an authentic Mayan meal and we were not disappointed. Favorite new-to-me foods were the dip made from pumpkin seeds called sikil pak. I also loved the melt in your mouth pork dish marinated in sour orange and achiote called Cochinita Pibil. You must try these dishes when in the Yucatan. I found this recipe online and will make Cochinita Pibil at home.

We loved our simple and healthy dinner at La Santanita near our hotel. We ate here on our first night, and I was introduced to Lime Soup, a local specialty. The chicken and lime combination was superb. I highly recommend. Here is a recipe for Yucatan Lime Soup I found online. This is an easy one to try at home.

Our best meal in Merida was at Teya Santa Lucia. We sat in the outdoor courtyard on a beautiful evening. Instead of entrees we shared several appetizers. We loved the pumpkin dip sikil pak, sausages and panuchos (a fried tortilla stuffed with beans).

How Long Should You Stay in Merida

It became apparent to us very quickly that there are many “snowbirds” or possibly full time American/Canadian expats in Merida. Not surprising as the weather is mild and comfortable from December to March, but summer can be very hot and muggy. The rainy months are June and July.

We spent five nights in Merida and we were on the go everyday. I think I would enjoy a full month in this pretty city, to enjoy more of the cuisine and culture. But if you only have three – five days you can see a lot, just as we did. There is more too, so stay as long as you can in Merida A Cultural Gem In Yucatan Mexico

How to Get to Merida

We arrived by hired car from Cancun, but there are direct flights from the United States and Mexico City. When we left Merida we flew on Viva Air (a very inexpensive no-frill airline) to Querataro then drove on to San Miguel de Allende. Merida is becoming a bigger tourism destination and a new train has also been recently opened that connects Merida to Campeche and Cancun, but schedules are still limited. Learn more about the Mayan Train here. Private buses are also a good option for getting around within Mexico.

Merida A Cultural Gem In Yucatan Mexico

Thank you for reading my post Merida A Cultural Gem In Yucatan Mexico. We loved our time in Merida, our second stop on a month long tour of Mexico. I definitely can see us returning to this city for the culture, the food and the very friendly people, all at a price that is right. Gracias Merida. We hope to see you again soon.

Most restaurants have Tortilla Ladies making fresh tortilla all day long

See last week’s post Beautiful Cuba an Amazing Ten Days here.

Keep following for more about our Mexico adventures as we continue our tour!

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North America Travel

Time to Plan New England in the Fall

November 21, 2025

Laureen

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It’s not too early to start to plan your fall visit to beautiful New England for the fall foliage. I really enjoyed our visit to four states for leaf peeping, incredible food, hiking and fabulous hospitality. With the popularity of fall in the Northeastern USA on the rise, don’t wait to make your plans for 2026.

A hard but gorgeous hike in New Hampshire – Frankenstein Cliffs

My Favorites

In October 2025 we visited New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Upstate New York. Each was beautiful, sunny and a perfect picture postcard of fall. There are many, many places to stay and eat, as well as things to do. But for the purposes of this post, I will share the things we enjoyed and recommend. I will also share some fabulous photos – I took thousands of photos!!

Something amazing at every turn in New Hampshire

New Hampshire

We had such a great time in New Hampshire. Even though we arrived a few days past peak of color (changes annually – see this handy guide here) but we were NOT disappointed. We had fantastic weather and the colors were still mind-blowing. Our time was spent in the Conway area which is insanely popular. I highly recommend planning your visit for a weekday or two, not on a weekend. We gave up trying to do anything on a Saturday because of the crowds, and came back on Sunday and Monday to see the sights. Luckily we had the time to do that.

Mount Washington Resort is open for non guests to visit

Don’t miss Franconia Notch State Park (especially the Flume and the Basin Cascade Pools), Kancamagus Highway, Artists Point, Bretton Woods Gondola, Arethusa Falls- Frankenstein Cliffs and Mount Washington Resort. Learn more at Visit New Hampshire.

We stayed in the small town of Glen about 15 minutes from Conway. We loved The Covered Bridge House Bed and Breakfast. The hosts were amazing, the breakfasts were delicious and the riverside location was peaceful. I would definitely stay here again.

Perfect accommodations at The Covered Bridge House Bed and Breakfast

The property includes this historic covered bridge which houses a gift shop

The best food we had in New Hampshire was at the nearby White Mountain Cider Company. Reservations are a must, and book early during this very busy time of year. It is a very special place, small and quaint and the food and service were outstanding.

Highly recommend the White Mountain Cider Company

Fall is in the air at the White Mountain Cider Company

Vermont

The color in Vermont was also fabulous, and the area we stayed near Lake Champlain was rural and peaceful. Before arriving in our rural destination we spent several hours in Stowe. We enjoyed the old town, did some shopping and picture taking. Then we rode the gondola at the Stowe ski resort to enjoy the expansive view and finished with a wonderful late lunch at The Alpine Hall in the ski village. The short, free gondola ride from the main gondola over to the ski village was a bonus!

We really enjoyed this gondola and the view from the Stowe Mountain Resort

After settling into our Inn we took several long drives to enjoy the bucolic region, walked along Lake Champlain in the small town of Saint Albans, and mostly just relaxed. Our accommodations at The Inn at Buck Hollow were more rustic than New Hampshire, but still comfortable, and the breakfast was delicious.

Inn at Buck Hollow Farm sits on 400 acres

Don’t miss: Cold Hollow Cider Mill, the towns of Stowe and Woodstock, The Vermont Country Store in Rockingham, and Saint Albans. Learn more at Visit Vermont

New York

Two places in New York State really made an impression on us, and I would return to both.

Lake Placid

It’s hard to believe this tiny town managed to hold two Olympic Games (1932 and 1980) but it did. We enjoyed a short visit to this colorful place with the peaceful lake. We had an outstanding breakfast at The Breakfast Club and did some shopping in the small town. Definitely worth a visit.

Cold Spring / Beacon

Our visit to Cold Spring and Beacon was to attend a wedding so we had limited time for sightseeing. However this small town was a perfect little package. Multiple amazing restaurants, lots of unique and eclectic shops, beautiful fall color and a fantastic location right on the Hudson River.

Because of the wedding we did not have time to see many sights, but highly recommended is Mount Beacon for hiking, Bannerman Island for history and the tour of West Point (which is right across the Hudson). Learn more at visit New York.

View of Hudson River from Boscobel House in Beacon

We highly recommend Cold Spring Depot for lunch. For dinner we enjoyed the Hudson House River Inn and had a fantastic meal with our family at Cathryn’s Italian Tuscan Grill.

Maine

We are lucky to have friends in Maine and we enjoy visiting them (see Ogunquit Maine – My Favorite Things). But we had never been to Maine in the fall. We were not disappointed. Sunny and cool and sometimes windy, we enjoyed visiting Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farms for a burst of fall color, some bird watching and history too.

Wells Reserve at Laudholm is a great place to walk

Historic farm at Wells Reserve at Laudholm

We visited Kennebunkport town, somewhere we had not been before. This historic port city (home to the Bush Family) is full of fabulous shops and restaurants and can be very busy on a weekend. We had a marvelous lunch (lobster roll of course) at The Boathouse right on the harbor.

Lots of shops on the seaside in Kennebunkport

Love Lobster in Maine and this Lobster Roll at The Boathouse in Kennebunkport did not disappoint.

We drove about 45 min north to Portland Maine. Maine’s largest city is home to about 70,000. Over the past decade Portland has emerged from a sometimes grimy port city to a fresh and thriving tourist destination, while keeping its fishing and lobster roots. There are many wonderful shops to peruse, beautiful views and museums too. And food…so many restaurants. We had a marvelous dinner at Solo Italiano right near the port.

Exceptional Drinks and Food at Solo Italiano in Portland Maine

Time to Plan New England in the Fall

We planned our road trip for fall color about 8 months in advance. Starting in New Hampshire, crossed over to Vermont, looped down to New York and back up to Maine. We had our own car since we were on a larger road trip, but you could easily do a similar itinerary flying into any of the NYC Airports, Boston or Portland.

There is much more you could consider when you decide to find Time to Plan New England in the Fall. MUCH more. But for us, our visit was everything we had hoped for and we would definitely go again.

Thanks for reading my post Time to Plan New England in the Fall. Happy Fall Y’all! Nothing like basking in the reds and golds of fall before winter descends.

Historic Boscobel House on the Hudson River in Beacon NY

This is our sixth and final post of cross USA road trip we did in September and October 2025. See the other posts; Yellowstone National Park USA, One Day in Chicago Illinois, Cleveland Ohio Two Museums Not to Miss, Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90.

Lots of fall color in beautiful Ogunquit Maine

What’s next? We are heading next week to a 16 day European Christmas Market Tour! Follow our journey at our Instagram account for daily updates. Thanks for following along…we are grateful when you share, pin and comment on our travel posts.

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North America Travel

Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90

Minnesota and South Dakota

November 14, 2025

Laureen

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Iconic American roads are famous for some fun and crazy roadside attractions. Everything from the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Kansas to Cadillac Ranch in Texas. See a full list here. Since we have driven across the USA multiple times, we have visited some of these quirky and unexpected sites. So on our recent return drive from Maine to Washington State, we visited four more. Here are our suggestions for Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90.

Interstate 90

On our 6 previous cross-country road trips we have wandered around multiple interstates, back roads and the iconic Route 66. But for the purpose of this round trip cross country drive we stuck pretty close to Interstate 90. I-90 is an amazing interstate system that starts in Seattle and ends in Boston Massachusetts. It’s well maintained, and despite parts of the interstate being in wide open and sparsely populated regions, it is safe.

History of Roadside Attractions

When I was a kid we drove from Seattle to the Redwood Forests and my clearest memory of that trip is a giant Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe! I don’t really remember the trees! US road travel has always been part of the culture, and US entrepreneurs have cashed in on this for generations. Here is what Wikipedia says about the history of roadside attractions;

When long-distance road travel became practical and popular in the 1920s, entrepreneurs began building restaurants, motels, coffee shops, cafes, and unusual businesses to attract travelers.^[4][5] Many of the buildings were attractions in themselves in the form of novelty architecture, depicting everyday objects of enormous size, typically relating to the items sold there.^[6] Some other types of roadside attractions include monuments and fictionalized-paranormal/illusionary amusements such as the Mystery Spot near Santa Cruz, California,^[7] or curiosities such as The Thing? along Interstate 10 in Arizona.^[8]

With the construction of the U.S. Interstate Highway System in the mid-1950s, many roadside attractions were bypassed and quickly went out of business.^[5] Some remained attractive enough to divert travelers from the interstate for a brief respite and thus remain in business. (Wikipedia)

Filters on photos — An iconic old gas station on Route 66, 2016.

Some Quirky and Some Not

In this post today I’m sharing four US Roadside Attractions we visited on our return trip. Two are a bit quirky, and two were fascinating. Here is our list;

Jolly Green Giant

If you grew up in the USA in the 1960’s, the Jolly Green Giant TV Commercial and jingle were part of daily life. The Jolly Green Giant brand of canned and frozen vegetables created the iconic symbol in 1928. The 55 foot fiberglass statue of The Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth Minnesota, right on I-90, was created in 1978. It attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year, including me and my husband in September.

SPAM Museum

How this humble meat in a square can became an icon around the world is the story you will learn at the SPAM Museum in Austin Minnesota. I was pleasantly surprised by this fun, colorful, interesting, educational and FREE museum. Located in the heart of the historic community of Austin. SPAM (an acronym for Spiced Ham) is manufactured by the Hormel Company. George Hormel founded Hormel Foods which today owns multiple well-known products under many other brand names, such as Applegate, Columbus Craft Meats, Herdez, Jennie-O, Planters, SKIPPY, and WHOLLY.

The museum is colorful and fun and kids would love it. There are multiple interactive activities as well as recipes, history, science, a gift shop and free samples! Over 100,000 people visit each year. I really enjoyed our visit and recommend it highly.

Island nations love SPAM . Guam consumes more SPAM than any other place in the world

Monty Python helped bring SPAM into the psyche with humor

The Corn Palace

I arrived at The Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota having done zero research and expecting something tacky and kitschy. Absolutely not. We were astonished. It is so much more than a tacky tourist attraction…it is the center of the lovely small historic farming town of Mitchell.

The Corn Palace website describes the history as;

Eight years before the turn of the 20th century, in 1892 (when Mitchell, South Dakota was a small, 12-year-old city of 3,000 inhabitants) the World’s Only Corn Palace was established on the city’s Main Street. During it’s over 100 years of existence, it has become known worldwide and now attracts more than a half a million visitors annually.

The palace was conceived as a gathering place where city residents and their rural neighbors could enjoy a fall festival with extraordinary stage entertainment – a celebration to climax a crop-growing season and harvest. This tradition continues today with the annual Corn Palace Festival held in late August each year.

Some 500,000 tourists come from around the nation each year to see the uniquely designed corn murals. The city’s first Corn Palace was built as a way to prove to the world that South Dakota had a healthy agricultural climate. (Corn Palace Website)

I was astonished by the beauty of the interior performing and sporting venue, as well as the annually-changed exterior murals made of corn and corn byproducts. More than 500,000 people visit the Corn Palace each year. I highly recommend a visit to the Worlds Only Corn Palace when in South Dakota.

Exterior of the Corn Palace, Mitchell South Dakota

Gorgeous interior for sports and arts at the Corn Palace

Mural theme for 2026 is Wonders of the World

Wall Drug

One of the most famous USA roadside attractions is in the small town of Wall South Dakota, where more than 2 million people a year visit Wall Drug. And to think it all started with free ice water in 1931.

The depression was raging, offering something free…even water…was unheard of. But Wall Drug founder Theodore “Ted” Hustead, took a chance. He used free ice water and catchy roadside signs to lure visitors on their way to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. And today, millions of people follow in those same tracks. Today the sprawling complex is a bit tourist kitsch, with tsotskys and old West theme. But, especially for kids, there is a lot of fun to be had. We had a cup of the iconic 5-cent coffee (it was good), walked around on a chilly October day and smiled at the wide range of crazy sights from a giant Jack Rabbit to a T Rex. Something for everyone in Wall Drug, Wall South Dakota.

Touristy trinkets, clothing and art available for purchase in Wall Drug

Driving Across the USA

Our month long trip covered 16 states and 8400 miles. Sometimes exhausting but always entertaining. I will share one more Road Trip Blog Post coming up…but I hope you enjoyed today’s Fun Roadside Attractions Cross Country Interstate 90. Be sure to see our other posts from our cross country trip; Yellowstone National Park USA, One Day in Chicago Illinois, Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss and Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Cooperstown New York USA

November 7, 2025

Laureen

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As I write this post the Los Angeles Dodgers have just taken the 2025 World Series. Happy for them, despite being a Seattle Mariners fan. It was heartbreaking to have the Seattle Mariners get so close this year…the only Major League team to never have made it to the World Series. But I digress. Because on our amazing cross country USA road trip, we made a detour to Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York. And we were very glad we did.

Cooperstown New York

We arrived in Cooperstown on a beautiful, sunny fall day, in mid October. The leaves were beautiful and the wind off Lake Otsego was crisp. This surprisingly pretty little town is surrounded by rural farmland, and is known for apples, berries, corn, wheat, hay and more. The summer months bring many tourists for the lake and boating opportunities. But why in the world is the National Baseball Hall of Fame in this tiny town seemingly in the middle of nowhere?

Cooperstown sits on the south shore of Lake Otsego

Why Cooperstown?

This was my first question, particularly when I realized Cooperstown is definitely off the beaten path. So I went to my trusty source Wikipedia and here is what I learned;

The Hall of Fame was established in 1939 by Stephen Carlton Clark, heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune. Clark sought to bring tourists to the village hurt by the Great Depression, which reduced the local tourist trade, and Prohibition, which devastated the local hops industry. Clark constructed the Hall of Fame’s building, which was dedicated on June 12, 1939. (His granddaughter, Jane Forbes Clark, is the current chairman of the board of directors.) The mythology that future Civil War hero Abner Doubleday invented baseball in Cooperstown in the 1830s was instrumental in the placement and early marketing of the Hall. (Wikipedia)

So then, the answer is – it was myth, money and influence.

National Baseball Hall of Fame is a non-profit organzation

Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Baseball. It’s as American as it gets. As James Earl Jones said in the 1989 film “Field of Dreams” ;

Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki recently inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and could be good again,”

Babe Ruth was one of five of the original inductees in 1936

And though the United States is a bit of train wreck right now…baseball helps pull us together. And that is why you should visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Plan at least three hours and four would be better. The museum has a fascinating collection of artifacts and tells a great historical story. In addition I found the video clips very entertaining. There is a small section on women’s baseball, as well as sections on Caribbean Islands and Japanese connection to the Major Leagues. Guided tours are also available.

Costumes from the movie A League of Their Own

Hall of Fame

At the end of the museum you will find yourself in the Baseball Hall of Fame, with plaques for all 351 Hall of Fame inductees, including Seattle Mariner greats Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, Ichiro Suzuki, and Randy Johnson.

Seattle Favorite Edgar Martinez inducted in 2019

Seattle Favorite Ken Griffey, Jr. was the first Mariner to be inducted in 2016

Seattle Favorite Ichiro Suzuki is the most recent inductee, 2025

Although Randy Johnson was inducted as an Arizona Diamondback in 2015, he was a longtime favorite in Seattle

Tickets are available online and prices are reasonable. Hours change slightly seasonally so learn more at National Baseball Hall of Fame. There are several restaurants and hotels near the museum, and if you have time, Cooperstown is a lovely place. Learn more and plan your visit at This is Cooperstown.

Restaurants and businesses in Cooperstown keep with the baseball theme

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way” – Babe Ruth

You can learn a lot from baseball. It’s both a team and an individual sport. And it’s about strategy and perseverance. Baseball is a childhood backyard right of passage and an adult favorite with a hot dog, family and friends. It’s a father and son having a catch and it’s a grand slam in the 9th inning. It’s part of our history and culture. America’s beloved pastime.

Thanks for reading my post Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame. See more from our road trip with our posts Yellowstone National Park USA, One Day in Chicago Illinois, and Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss.

The great and controversial Ty Cobb was inducted in 1936

Come back next week for more from our month on the road!

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Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss

October 24, 2025

Laureen

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Our recent road trip took us through Cleveland Ohio, a city I had never been to. We happened to arrive on the day the Cleveland Guardians were playing in the MLB Wildcard series. The city was excited about that. But we had decided to make a stop in Cleveland for another reason. We came to see two specific things. So if you are planning a visit, here are two Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss.

This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Cleveland

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

So the first thing many people ask is why is the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland? Well it’s pretty simple, it’s about history and money. Cleveland, Ohio has some serious rock roots, including DJ Alan Freed coining the term “rock and roll” and holding the first rock concert. Cleveland also offered a substantial financial commitment for the museum’s construction and demonstrated significant public support with petitions and fundraising, winning out over other major cities in a national competition for the site.

By the way, Cleveland recently changed the name of their MLB team from the Indians to the Guardians. My husband thinks they should have been called the Cleveland Rocks. You heard it here first.

Seattle has a big presence in rock history

Why Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

You know, even though I’m not a huge country music fan, I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and loved it. My point is, even if you may not be a fan of all styles of rock and roll (Rockabilly, Blues Rock, Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock, and Indie Rock) you will find so much of interest. The museum provides in-depth history, costumes and videos, musical instruments and interviews, photos and of course music.

As a person who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s my visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reminded me of many moments from my formative years. Things like the death of rock legends Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain. The famous rooftop performance by the Beatles. Michael Jackson’s monumental Moonwalk performance and so much more.

Although the museum does cover international performers like the Beatles and others, most of the story told at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about the USA. The museum looks at the shift that was taking place in the United States at the time and how the changing music of the era propelled the country in a new direction.

During our visit we enjoyed dozens of permanent exhibits as well as some revolving exhibits. One recently opened exhibit looks at 50 Years of Saturday Night Live and how the performers on that weekly show mirrored the changing culture of the USA.

How to Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The museums hours change depending on the season so check the website. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a cashless operation. You can purchase your tickets online ahead of time (as we did) or at the door by scanning a QR Code. Once in the door you are free to enjoy the museum as long as you like.

Parking is really bad in the area of the museum, so plan ahead to park in one of the pay lots near by. Or like us, get a hotel within walking distance.

During our visit in late September 2025 the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was undergoing some expansion and construction to provide even more exhibits and a better experience.

A Christmas Story House

If you aren’t a fan of the classic 80’s movie A Christmas Story, then I don’t know if we can be friends. Okay just kidding. But A Christmas Story is such a family favorite in the Lund house. Why is it so popular? It balances the idealized nostalgia of Christmas with a witty and realistic portrayal of childhood and family life. The movie’s enduring appeal comes from its universal themes, a unique blend of humor and nostalgia, a memorable narration, and relatable characters that capture the authentic, sometimes chaotic, essence of the holiday season.

Take a Guided Tour

We purchased tickets online ahead of time to take a tour of the iconic house used in the movie. Our guide was excellent and provided so much fun information about how the house was chosen in Cleveland and how it became the museum it is today. During the months of November and December guided tours are not offered, because it is peak season. Self – guided tours of the house are available and tickets are available on line. See the website here.

Since the house became a tourist attraction, several other buildings in the neighborhood have been acquired to house a museum, a gift shop and the famous Bumpus House next door is now available for overnight visits.

Where to Stay and Eat

We only had one night in Cleveland and we stayed just a few blocks from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, at the Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown. It worked great. We also walked to have dinner at one of Cleveland’s highest rated restaurants, Cordelia. It was incredible and I highly recommend it. Located on historic 4th street, now a pedestrian only area near the baseball stadium. Don’t miss Cordelia.

Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss

I would have loved another day or two in this city, a place I had never been before. But we made the most of our short time in this historic Midwest town, and I am glad we did. If you have an upcoming visit to Cleveland, be sure to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The Christmas Story House. Two very different experiences in Cleveland.

Thank you for reading my post Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss. See last week’s post One Day in Chicago Illinois. Be sure to come back soon for more fun from our USA Road Trip 2025.

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One Day In Chicago Illinois

October 17, 2025

Laureen

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One day in Chicago, Illinois…well, technically I had one full day plus a few hours the evening before. And honestly, it’s not enough to see this beautiful city. But it was all the time we had, so we hit the highlights. If you only have One Day In Chicago Illinois, here are my recommendations.

Cross Country Road Trip

If you saw last week’s post Yellowstone National Park, USA (or if you are following along on Instagram), you know we are tackling a month long cross country road trip from Washington State to Maine and back again. And Chicago is a beautiful city so we thought we would spend two night there on the way.

We arrived our downtown Embassy Suite hotel about 4pm in the afternoon. We had been driving all day, but we wanted to take advantage of the few hours we had. So after getting settled in our room and grabbing a cold drink at the complimentary evening happy hour we headed out.

Navy Pier and Centennial Ferris Wheel

Did you know the first Ferris Wheel in the world was in Chicago? Well it was, an invention of George Ferris for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. That Ferris Wheel of course is long gone, but today the Chicago Centennial Ferris Wheel rises 200 feet above Lake Michigan and gives great views of the lake and the city. We enjoyed a brief walk through the Navy Pier Building and then boarded the wheel with no line at sunset (you can buy tickets in advance here) and enjoyed the ride and the views. A perfect way to start our short visit to Chicago.

One Day In Chicago Illinois

Next morning we hit the ground running for a full day around the city. We did not see it all but we did as much as we could and had a lot of fun. By the end of the day I had walked eleven miles! Here is how we laid out our day;

GPS My City

Using our favorite app GPS My City we did a self guided walking tour of the downtown core. Especially when you are pressed for time this is a great way to see the sites.

Pizzeria Uno

Founded in Chicago in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, Pizzeria Uno is credited with inventing the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate is British artist Anish Kapoor’s first public outdoor work installed in the United States. The 110-ton elliptical sculpture is forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. Chicagoan’s refer to it as The Bean.

Crown Fountain

Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park is a major addition to the city’s world-renowned public art collection.

Harold Washington Public Library

Since completion, the library has appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest public library building in the world. In 2013 the architect and chairman of Hammond, Beeby and Babka, Thomas H. Beeby, won the prestigious Driehaus Architecture Prize for this and other projects.

Wrigley Square

This small green park is a beautiful public place for events or quiet moment and includes a Greek style columned platform.

Tribune Tower & Wrigley Tower

Two of Chicago’s most prominent and historic buildings stand kitty corner from each other right near the Chicago River. The Gothic Tribune Tower, former home of the Chicago Tribune (now condos) and the Wrigley Building – Chicago’s porcelain crown jewel of architecture.

Willis Tower

Formerly known as the Sears Tower, Chicago’s tallest building built in 1974 was the world’s tallest building until 1996. We did not go up to the sky deck but it’s a popular thing to do.

Millennium Park

We strolled down to Millennium Park to enjoy the waterfront, but found much of the park closed off for preparations for the upcoming Chicago Marathon. It was a beautiful day however so we took advantage of views of the lake from the park and waterfront walk.

Buckingham Fountain

As we continued our stroll we stopped to admire Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The fountain is distinguished not only for its exquisite decorative details and finely wrought bronze sculpture, but also for its innovative use of technology which creates a dynamic light and water display on a massive scale.

Museums

Chicago is home to several museums and two of my favorites are world class-

Art Institute

I love this museum and have visited in the past, but unfortunately they are closed on Tuesday – the day of the week we were in town. But I can highly recommend this world class art collection, both the permanent collection and the revolving special exhibits.

Field Museum

Another amazing and diverse museum is Chicago’s Field Museum. We had visited this museum before as well, but still found ourselves able to enjoy three hours wandering around this beautiful building. From dinosaurs to gem stones, Africa to China and so much more.

Architectural River Cruise

Well it had been an amazing day already, but the Architectural River Cruise was hands down the best thing we did all day. There are several companies offering this tour, but I recommend Wendella River Cruises, the original. I’ve done this before and would do it again. An hour and a half tour leaving from the historic DuSable Bridge, the tour includes a guide with exceptional narration about the history and people who made Chicago what it is today. Don’t miss this tour.

Giordanos Pizza

Okay now we were starving. What a day it had been. We knew we wanted Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza for dinner, and we headed to one of several highly rated Pizzerias – Giordano’s. The first Giordano’s opened in Chicago in 1974, making Mama Giordano’s famous double stuffed pie. Today it is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. We loved it and had enough left for lunch the next day too.

There are several places to enjoy Chicago style pizza – Giordano’s is my choice

You won’t go hungry with a Chicago style pie

One Day In Chicago Illinois

Hopefully you will have more than one day in Chicago. But if you only have one day, you can see and do so much in this beautiful city. It’s one of my favorite cities in the USA and worth a visit, one day or more!

Thanks for reading my post this week One Day in Chicago Illinois. I hope you saw last week’s post Yellowstone National Park, USA. Keep following for more of our USA Road Trip coming soon.

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